Bill Ogren

life story

Best Loved Volunteer Dishwasher in Minneapolis, MN

Bill, William Kenneth Ogren, was born April 6, 1950 in Washington D.C. to proud parents Marjorie and Ken Ogren. He enjoyed music, especially singing, art, hiking, and adding joy to peoples’ lives. His early life was full of traveling and moving. Whenever possible the family joined his father on business trips. There were also numerous visits to relatives, National Parks, and historic sites. Bill lived in Maryland, Northern Virginia, Princeton, New Jersey, and Paris, France. While in Paris, in addition to family trips, he explored Amsterdam, Italy, Spain, and worked a summer at Heathrow airport in London.

He went to Augsburg College from 1969 to 1973 and fell in love with MPLS. He seldom left MN, except to visit his parents after they moved to Estes Park, CO. He enjoyed visiting them and hiking together in the Rockies. He worked for the Registry Hotel and was awarded employee of the year in 1977. He was always popular wherever he worked, helping out with a smile and a song. When he wasn’t working, he volunteered for political causes, working for equality, and doing whatever jobs others didn’t want to do. He was dedicated to the protection and support of children. He volunteered for Head Start when he was a teenager, and any extra money he had would be donated to causes for children. In his heart he kept that child-like joy, dancing and singing his way through his life.

He joined First Unitarian Society in the 1970’s and was a devoted member, best remembered as the singing dishwasher. He enjoyed helping Augsburg through their campus kitchen for those in need. He died peacefully in his sleep on March 10, 2021. He is survived by his brother James Ogren of Everett, WA and his Sister Jan Ogren of Rohnert Park, CA. Donations in Bill’s honor can be made to First Unitarian Society, MPLS. A virtual service will be held by FUS on April 10, 2pm CDT. Call the office for more information 612-377-6608 https://firstunitarian.org.