Mary  E. Bogren, age 94, of Storm Lake, Iowa died Friday, July 7, 2017 at the Methodist Manor Retirement Community in Storm Lake.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, July 12, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Storm Lake. Burial will follow in the Hayes Township Cemetery in Arthur, Iowa. Visitation will take place Tuesday, July 11, 2017 from 5-7:00 p.m. at the Sliefert Funeral Home in Storm Lake. The Sliefert Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements.

Mary Elizabeth Hamlin, the daughter of Martin and Mable (Johnson) Hamlin, was born in Odebolt, Iowa, on May 10, 1923.  Mary’s father was a Baptist pastor and during Mary’s youth she received her education and resided in the communities of Warren and Jamestown, Pennsylvania and Joliet, Illinois. Following her high school graduation, Mary attended Bethel Baptist College in St. Paul, Minnesota.

On August 14, 1948, Mary was united in marriage to Arthur E. Bogren in San Jose, California.  Mary and Art were privileged to raise their daughter, Debbie Hamlin. Prior to moving to Storm Lake in 1978, Mary and Art lived in San Jose, Modesto, and Santa Clara, California.

Mary’s faith was the most important thing to her and Mary’s life testifies to that faith.  She was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Storm Lake where she was a Deaconess Emeritus, she designed and maintained the memorial room at the church, was a member of the ABW, served on various church boards and committees, was a Sunday School teacher, maintained the church library, and was a faithful prayer warrior.  Mary honored those who served the Lord by being an encourager to all the pastors and missionaries.  Everyone who knew Mary will remember her for her gift of writing poetry and how she loved music, especially playing the piano at home and at church.  She was also a member of a book club.  One of the most valued places in her life was the Forest Hill family farm in Odebolt, Iowa and she cherished the time she could spend there with her family and friends.  Mary will be deeply missed because she was known as the family historian and made many scrapbooks of the family.

Mary’s life is cherished, loved, and celebrated by her family which include her brother, Charles, and his wife, Karen, Hamlin of Louisville, Colorado; nephews and niece: Christopher, Timothy, Elizabeth and David; and her many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Art; daughter, Debbie; and one brother, Martin Wendell “Bud” Hamlin.

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