Helen Ogle

HELEN GRACE OGLE, Age 78 of Sugar Grove, IL, passed away peacefully, Tuesday afternoon, November 29, 2005 at her home, with family at her side. LIFE HISTORYShe was born June 7, 1927, in Aurora, IL the daughter of Morris J. and Helen (Martin) Gordon. She grew up on the Gordon family farm, graduated from Sugar Grove High School and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in business from Aurora University. Helen worked briefly at several local businesses, including a gas station, and soon became employed at PAG (Pfister Associated Growers), an Aurora seed corn company with offices on West Galena. There she met Charles W. Ogle and they were wed on September 25, 1955 at the Sugar Grove United Methodist Church. Living briefly near the P.A.G. office, they soon moved into a farm house near Sugar Grove. In 1975 they moved to the Gordon family farm homestead on Prairie Street where they lived the rest of their lives. MEMBERSHIPS / LIFE NOTESHelen was an active member of the Sugar Grove United Methodist Church where the touch of her hands and heart can be chronicled across the years in countless ways. She had a fondness for children and kept the "cradle roll" for the church, welcoming new children and remembering their birthdays each year as they progressed toward Sunday School. There, they would meet Helen as Secretary of the Sunday School and the keeper of attendance records that would earn them honor pins as the years passed. Visitors to the church office would find Helen, then church secretary, busy preparing the bulletin, the announcement boards, changing the altar cloths and tending to dozens of unseen details. In 1969 she was honored as "Outstanding Mother of the Year" by the Sugar Grove United Methodist Men’s Group. Through the years, she taught her children and grandchildren the joy of service in this labor of love. A woman who lived her faith through her works, Helen was also a Brownie Troop Leader, secretary of the Sugar Grove Farmers Club, served her community as a Sugar Grove Township Trustee, president of the Sugar Grove Historical Society, Community Care Team Volunteer, a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and the United Methodist Women. Always welcoming, Helen had a knack for making newcomers feel at home. Whether at church, the Farmers Market, the Corn Boil or any community gathering, she connected the new with the old and made both feel welcome. At home on the farm, Helen always valued life whether human or animal. Orphan kittens, baby chicks and "ugly ducklings" of every kind were given a place in her lap, a warm spot in the kitchen and in Helen’s heart. She had a gift for healing every kind of hurt and a way of teaching life-lessons as she shared life’s burdens along the way. Through the years she cared selflessly for her husband, Charles and various ill and elderly relatives. SURVIVORS She is survived by two children:Bonnie L. Ogle (Paul St. John) of Montgomery, and their family Kate, Eleanor and Charlotte. William G. (Stephanie) Ogle of Oswego and their son,Stephen.One sister, Mary Sohan of Maple ParkOne brother, Mark (Debbie) Gordon of St. Charles, ILMany nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.PRECEDED She is preceded in death by her husband, Charles, her parents, two brothers, one in infancy and one in childhood and one brother-in-law. MEMORIAL In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in her name to benefit various charities. Checks may be made to the Helen G. Ogle Memorial and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119. Tributes and memories may also be mailed to the same address or forwarded to the family through her obituary at www.conleycare.com.

VISITATION / FUNERAL Visitation Sunday, December 4, from 1-4pm at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL. Her funeral service will be held Monday, December 5, at 1pm at the Sugar Grove United Methodist Church with an hour of visitation preceding the funeral from noon until time of service.

Interment will follow at the Sugar Grove Cemetery, Sugar Grove, Il