Richland, Baker County, Oregon
Belva Gene Bogen, 78, of Richland, died peacefully at her home surrounded by her family and friends on Nov. 9, 2005.
A memorial service will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Richland Christian Church. Friends are invited to join the family for a reception following the service at the church.
Belva Gene was born on March 25, 1927 in Drain, to Eugene Harold and Bessie Bell White Lakey. She was raised and educated in Drain, graduating from Drain High School in 1945.
Upon graduation, Belva married her high school sweetheart, John Bogen, on June 17, 1945 in Decatur, Ill. Of this union they had four children.
She accumulated one year of college credit from Boise Bible College while she and John served as house parents at the Christian Children’s Home.
During Belva’s life she most enjoyed being a homemaker, caring for her husband and children. She enjoyed camping, hunting, outdoor activities, family, teaching women life enrichment and writing. Belva was blessed with the gift of music; she was an accomplished pianist and loved to sing.
John and Belva lived many places during their lives, as they were missionaries. They traveled Oregon, Idaho, Washington, Alaska and Europe. In Europe they carried Bibles to Christians behind the Iron Curtain.
Belva is survived by her husband, John, of Richland; daughter Sherry Curtis of Phoenix, Ariz.; sons, Larry Bogen and his wife, Linda, of Beaverton, Michael Bogen and his wife, Lori, of Sheridan, and Stephen Bogen and his wife, Lureen, of Willamina; brother David Lakey and his wife, Gale, of Brookings; and 12 grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
A memorial service will be held at a later date in Drain.
Those wishing to make a memorial contribution in memory of Belva may do so through your own church through Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 543, Halfway, Oregon 97834.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, November 11, 2005
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor