Ansel Sogge, 89

Ansel Jerome “Jerry” Sogge, 89, Sauk Centre, passed away on Thursday, November 29, 2012 at The Legends at Heritage Place in Sartell, leaving this earth to join his wife and eldest daughter in heaven.

Ansel was born June 18, 1923 in Windom to John and Anna (Vangen) Sogge. He was a 1942 graduate of Bingham Lake High School and felt fortunate to be the first member of his family to graduate. After graduation he enlisted in the United States Army. He was honorably discharged in 1946 after serving in the South Pacific.

On March 19, 1948 he married Margaret Anne Skilling in Windom. Following their marriage, he was employed as a night depot agent for Chicago and Northwestern Railroad in Windom. In 1951 they moved to a farm near Grove City, where his passion for farming began. In 1960 they moved to a dairy farm near West Union where they lived and raised their children.

After retiring from farming in 1982 they moved into Sauk Centre, where Jerry drove bulk oil truck for Community Oil for 12 years. In 2001 they moved to Sartell, where they resided for five years then returned to Sauk Centre, where their hearts belonged. In March of 2012 he moved to the memory care unit at The Legends to be closer to his children as he struggled with Alzheimer’s.

Jerry enjoyed farming and tinkering with the tractors and often sent “the wife” into town for parts. He was an avid hunter, especially bow hunting, elk hunting in Montana, and goose hunting in Canada. He loved spending time with his children and grandchildren. He and Anne along with their family established the Sauk Centre Annual Community Christmas Dinner in the mid-1990s.

Jerry was a member of the Osakis VFW, Sinclair Lewis Aerie Fraternal Order of Eagles, Sauk Centre Seniors, and the Sauk Centre Conservation Club.

Survivors include his children, James (Kathleen) Sogge of Paynesville, David (Beth Nelson) Sogge of Blaine, the Rev. Carol Jean (the Rev. Geary) Smith of Sauk Rapids, Patrick (Joanne) Sogge of Prior Lake, Kathryn (Dale) Struffert of Sartell, Janet (John) Tracy of Ramsey, and John (Bobbie Jo) Sogge of Prior Lake; son-in-law, Larry Baker of Litchfield; 19 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; brother, John (Lois) Sogge of Augusta, Georgia; sisters, Birdell “Bert” Chewning of Edina, Benora “Benny” (Bob) Deming of Alexandria, and Carol Harder of Mountain Lake; and sisters-in-law, Laura Sogge of Osakis and Helen Banal of Sauk Centre.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 63-1/2 years, Margaret Anne Sogge, on December 12, 2011; daughter, Mary Anne Baker on October 30, 2012; grandson, Jeffery Scott Baker; parents, John and Anna Sogge; brothers, Osmund Sogge, Glenn Sogge, Harlan “Toby” Sogge, Gerhart Sogge, who died in World War II, and infant brother, Gerhart; sisters, Marion Ford and Laura Rutherford; sister-in-law, Edna Sogge; and brothers-in-law, Gene Rutherford, Ernie Ford, Sam C. Harder, and Dr. Henry Banal.

A funeral service was held Tuesday, December 4 at River of Life Church in Sauk Centre with the Rev. Kyle Peterson officiating. Interment was at Calvary Cemetery.

Serving as casket bearers were his grandsons, Christopher Sogge, Brandon Sogge, Jeremy Sogge, Andrew Struffert, Jesse Smith, Justin Smith, Dylan Sogge and Ian Sogge, with Staff Sgt. Erik Sogge serving as honorary bearer.

Arrangements were made with Patton-Schad Funeral and Cremation Services of Sauk Centre; www.pattonschad.com.

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