He was born in Superior, Wisconsin to Carl and Ruby (Swenson) Ogren. He was one of six children: sisters Gloria, Karen and Susan, and brothers Robert and Steven. In his younger years, Jerry moved around between northern Minnesota and Port Wing, Wisconsin, living at times with his grandparents or his aunt and uncle, Holly and Bob. His early years were challenging, and he worked at a young age to help provide for his family by shining shoes, picking cherries or helping his uncle on the fishing boat on Lake Superior. His family eventually moved to St. Paul, MN when he was a teenager, where he continued to work hard to help support his mother and siblings. He graduated from Mechanic Arts High School in 1953, and St. Paul Vocational-Technical School in 1955 with a Mechanical Drafting degree. He then enlisted in the Army, where he served in Taiwan from 1956-1959. His job entailed listening to the Chinese in morse code. After the Army, he returned to St. Paul and married Joan (Drobinski) on October 8, 1960. By July 1961, their twin boys David and Dale were born. Diane was born the next year, and Jeffrey a little over a year later. Laura came along four years later. Jerry liked to boast that he had a “Full House”. During this time, Jerry started working at Ryan Equipment and going to night school, earning his degree in Business Administration at the University of Minnesota. He eventually worked his way up the ladder and became the Plant Manager at Ryan in 1973. He also kept busy with projects on our home on Gervais Lake. He could do anything: carpenter, plumber, electrician, mechanic. In 1977, the Ryan plant was closed and Jerry chose to move the family and take a job offer in Lincoln, Nebraska at the Cushman plant, where he once again worked his way up and became General Manager. After Cushman was purchased by Ransomes, Jerry “retired”, and then had the opportunity to work in Plymouth, England for a year. He then was a consultant for several more years for Nebraska Boiler and Garner Industries.
In 2000, Jerry and Joan bought an acreage. They spent many hours planting trees, flowers, and Hostas, digging ditches and building bridges. They also created a fantastic path in the “back 40” for the grandkids to drive the golf cart, just one of the many wonderful memories that were made on this property, along with fishing and catching frogs in the pond, bonfires, 4th of July fireworks, ice skating, and sledding.
Jerry was involved in numerous organizations, boards and activities. The Lions Club in St. Paul, where he had the opportunity to help light the fireworks at the Ramsey County Fair, which led to awesome stories years later. Through the Society of Manufacturing Engineering, he was a fierce advocate for advancement in technical and community college education. He gave much of his time volunteering: Junior Achievement; St. Joseph’s Church- collecting food and clothing for Haiti; St. Louise Thrift store-building shelves and other projects, and delivering furniture for families that were in need; Teammates-where he mentored several young men; Villa Marie-taking young students fishing. He was a member of St. Joseph Church for nearly 50 years, meeting so many wonderful friends, and fulfilling his faith journey.
Jerry and Joan had the opportunity to travel extensively and enjoyed visiting numerous countries: Australia, Japan, China, Russia, Egypt, Greenland, and all throughout Europe. They climbed Mt. Moses, attended mass at the Vatican and in Tokyo on Easter Sunday, rode the Orient Express and the Trans- Siberian Railroad. Jerry also spent over 50 years traveling to International Falls-Rainy Lake every summer for a fishing trip with the guys. Along with fishing, he also enjoyed golfing, hitting a hole in one, and bowling, traveling for many years to the national bowling tournament in Nevada and holding an average well over 200. He was also a life-long Minnesota Twins and Vikings fan.
They also had numerous friends and enjoyed hosting many, many parties for holidays, graduations, weddings, Husker games, progressive dinners,etc, etc. The phrase “there’s a party at the Ogren’s” was used quite often. Some of these parties may have involved some Polka dancing. Everyone was always welcome, and offered a cold beverage.
Jerry led a life well lived. He worked hard, played hard, and loved hard. He never let his struggles make him bitter, they made him better. He was kind, thoughtful, generous and grateful. We were all so fortunate to have him as a son, brother, husband, dad, grandpa and friend. Rest in peace dad, your work here is done.
Jerry is preceded in death by his parents, siblings Gloria, Bob, and Susan, and son David. He is survived by wife Joan, sons Dale and Jeff (Pam) Ogren, daughters DeeDee Ogren and Laura (Rob) Anthes. Grandchildren Tyler, Kyle, Derek, Danielle, Jaym, and Caden Ogren, Colin and Devin Hill, and Nick, Ben and Megan Anthes, and great-grandchildren Brynlee and Maddie Ogren, sister Karen, brother Steve, numerous nieces and nephews, and so many precious friends.
The family would like to thank the staff at Cedar Creek Memory Care and Endless Journey Hospice, for their compassionate care in the final months.
Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will take place 11:00 a.m. Saturday June 20, 2026 at St. Josephs Catholic Church, 1940 S. 77th St. Lincoln, NE 68506, with a visitation one hour prior. Burial will take place at a later date in Forrest Lawn Cemetery in St. Paul, MN.
Please forward donations to the Alzheimer’s Association or Teammates.