Susan Linda Bogen

MIDDLETON - Susan Linda Graham Bogen passed into God’s loving embrace on July 10, 2024, in Madison, Wisc., surrounded by the love of family and friends.

Sue was born in Tucson, Ariz., in 1949, to David and Irene (Francis) Graham. By her own admission, she was a terrible baby. She cried almost continuously for the first three months of her life, making her parent’s lives difficult. Shortly after her fourth month began, Sue ceased crying incessantly and won a beautiful baby contest when she smiled at the judge and grabbed his tie.

Sue was part of the first class of students at Portland Elementary school in Richfield, Minn., before moving on to East Junior High. She admitted that she often did just enough work to be the best student in class, but no more. She had some good friends but was also quite shy and compensated for this with kindness. She played field hockey (one of the few sports available to girls at the school) and also participated on a swim team.

She graduated from Richfield High School. Her favorite activities were Hi-C, field hockey, and horseback riding as part of the Girls Athletic Association. She was briefly engaged at the end of high school, but it didn’t stick as Sue and her fiancé split up over Sue’s decision to attend college.

After high school, Sue attended Minnesota State in Mankato. She matriculated into the nursing program there but switched her major to education because she didn’t want to take all that chemistry. She made some great friends there, graduated with a degree in secondary education, and met her future husband, Jay Bogen, at a Halloween fraternity/sorority party.

After graduation, Sue went on a European tour with her friend Carolyn for the summer, where they had a grand time seeing many of the major cities and sights, including the thrill of sleeping overnight on a train station floor in West Berlin when they lost their hotel rooms.

Sue and Jay were married a month after her return from Europe. They spent three years living in Milwaukee, three years in Minneapolis, and three years in Kansas City, Mo., before moving to Watertown, S.D.

Sue and Jay spent more than 30 years living in Watertown raising a family and putting down deep roots. During that time Sue worked for the South Dakota Department of Labor for more than 24 years and actively participated in many local groups and clubs. After a long stay in Watertown, Sue moved to Madison, Wis., in 2012, to be near her children and grandchildren. She worked for the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development in Madison for five years before retiring in 2017.

Sue was a devoted Christian and an active member of her churches. She was a long-time member of, and holder of many leadership positions at, the First Congregational Church in Watertown, S.D. One of Sue’s many talents was writing the clues for the annual “Car Rally” scavenger hunt for the Good Times Unlimited Social Club at the church. Each clue rhymed, displaying Sue’s clever wit and creative talents. She was also an active member of the First Congregational Church in Madison, Wis., where she participated in the bell choir, volunteered to staff the church office, and joined book clubs, diversity awareness workshops and social activities.

Sue was a lifelong Minnesota Twins fan, a member of P.E.O., a voracious reader, a diehard Jeopardy fan, and a theater buff. Despite all that, she always made time to attend her grandchildren’s sporting events, recitals, and other important events, and to play dominoes with her daughter, Amy.

Sue is survived by her children, Amy Bogen and David (Sarah) Bogen; grandchildren, Garrison and Dinah, all of Madison, Wis.; and many members of her extended family. She also was blessed with many friends, coworkers, and others who helped create the fabric of her life. Sue was preceded in death by her beloved sister Nancy (Graham) Quick; and her parents, David Graham and Irene (Francis Graham) Nystrom.

In lieu of flowers, Sue requested donations in her name to the First Congregational Church in Madison, the First Congregational Church in Watertown, the endowment of the Alicia Ashman branch of the Madison Public Library, or the P.E.O. International Chapter CW (check payable to: Chapter CW - P.E.O. and mail to L. Schmitt, Treasurer, 6335 Merritt Ridge, Madison, WI 53718).

A memorial service to honor and celebrate Sue’s memory will be held at the FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, 1609 University Ave, Madison, on Saturday, August 3, 2024, at 4 p.m. A private burial service will be held prior to the memorial service.

The family thanks Dr. Mark Burkard and staff of the UW Carbone Cancer Center for their compassionate care and guidance, Agrace Hospice Inpatient Unit staff, nurses, and CNAs, and especially Eldonna Hazen, Carolyn Jacobson, Sue’s PEO Sisters, bridge friends, neighbors, and church community for supporting and loving Sue in the last two years.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson West
Funeral & Cremation Care
7435 University Ave.
(608) 831-6761