Obituary of Rita M. Ogren

Ogren, Rita M. (Stroshane)

Rita Ogren, age 84, of Bloomington (formerly Richfield), passed away on March 15, 2023.

Rita was born in Minneapolis and graduated from Central High School (class of 1956). After graduation, she worked in downtown Minneapolis for a law office. In 1959, she married Kenneth Ogren, and they made Richfield their home for more than 46 years. She was a stay-at-home mom for many years before joining Richfield Bank & Trust, where she worked for more than 30 years in the safe deposit box area.

She loved shopping, reading, card playing, drinking wine and watching football and golf. Also known as GG (Great Grandma) or GGO (Great Grandma O), she loved spending time with family, especially her grand- and great-grandchildren. One of Rita’s more recent passions was dining at some of the Twin Cities’ best steakhouses, where she would ask how “colossal” their “colossal” shrimp were. We will honor her memory by continuing this steakhouse tradition.

Preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth; parents Earl & Betty Stroshane; two brothers, Wayne (Earl) and Michael Stroshane; and brothers-in-law Paul Elvin and Don Juran.

Survived by children Mark (Jodi) Ogren and Nancy (Tom) Thorkelson; sisters Jan Elvin, Linda Juran and sister-in-law Patti Stroshane; grandchildren Kaitlyn (Scott) Jensen, Erik (Megan) Thorkelson, Berit Thorkelson (Clint Buckner) and Bart Thorkelson (Libby Johnson); great-grandchildren Jaxon, Asher, Roy, Vera, Arlo and Astrid; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and other relatives; as well as many wonderful friends.

A Memorial Gathering will be held at the Cremation Society of Minnesota, 7110 France Ave S, Edina, on Friday, March 31, 2023, from 3-7 PM. A private family interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery will be held earlier on March 31, 2023.

Memorials are preferred, in lieu of flowers, to House of Prayer Lutheran Church in Richfield or the donor’s choice.

A special thank you to all of the nurses and staff at The Villas at The Cedars for their support and care for Mom in her final weeks.