Ranae Ogden

The smell of rain on freshly cut grass, and blossoms on a garden of flowers, are two things that  make you think of Ranae Ogden. Ranae’s beautiful yard on Parker Avenue was only second in her love to her family and friends. This beautiful lady was reunited with her husband and oldest son on May 1st, 2020 at the age of 72.

Ranae Osborn Ogden was born on November 14, 1947 to Dona Louise Van Leuven Osborn and John William Osborn in Southgate California. She loved to share stories about growing up in California- like eating lemon cremes and visiting DisneyLand on a regular basis. She loved listening to the Beach Boys and claimed to be a Cali Girl. After graduating from Southgate High School she moved to Utah to live with her older sister, Carol Osborn Nelson.

While attending beauty school in Provo, she was asked to write to a missionary serving in the Oakland, California Mission. She started writing to Mickle Brox Ogden during the last months of his mission. Upon his return from his mission they began to date and on November 7, 1968 they were sealed in the Manti Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints for time and all eternity. Their romance was one for the ages. Ranae would often share about the small things that they did for each other, and how she would sit and wait at the window to see the lights from Mike’s vehicle pull into their driveway each night after work.

That love grew on July 10, 1970 when their son Troy Mickle Ogden was born. Troy brought an added element of joy to Ranae and Mike. Ranae shared that Mike’s favorite thing to do when he got home was to get on the ground and play with Troy. There was a unique bond between the two Ogden boys. Around the time that Troy was nine months old, the couple discovered that Troy was not developing normally. They continued to love their son while also working with a loving staff of doctors and nurses to determine the best care options for Troy. During this time they found out that they were expecting another child.

On March 4, 1972 Mike was involved in a tragic truck accident while working and was killed. Ranae tells of the grief that came with this knowledge. She had just lost the love of her life, was caring for a special needs child, and was expecting another child.  On May 13, 1972 Shane Brox Ogden was born. Ranae often spoke of Shane’s birth being the only good thing that happened that year or the year that followed. Two months later, Ranae’s mother Dona passed away. Troy followed, and passed away on November 19, 1973. Ranae’s faith in a loving Savior sustained her during this period of her life.

Ranae moved into her home on Parker Avenue in 1973, where she raised her son Shane, and transformed the property into one of the prettiest in American Fork.  She was delighted when her yard was named one of the best in town with beautiful blooms and her pristine cut grass. Ranae insisted on mowing her own lawn even as she got older and had just mowed the lawn a few days before her unexpected passing. She could be found planting and watering her beloved plants and bushes, and mowing her grass multiple times a week. Her yard became her sanctuary.

Ranae had a love for all people, but those with special needs held a deep place in her heart. She worked as a lunch lady at Barratt Elementary, quietly sneaking extra deserts on student’s trays, and then transferred to Dan Peterson School where she worked as a paraeducator in the physical therapy department. She continued to work for Alpine School District as an occupational therapy aide traveling to various elementary schools. She loved the bond that she created with her students and even took them on vacations with her.  She developed wonderful relationships with her colleagues and everyone she came in contact with. She could make a friend out of any stranger after one conversation. She just loved people and to travel the world with her friends. Christmas was her favorite time of year and would often leave those decorations up for months afterwards. She loved wrapping beautiful gifts for anyone who asked and would go out of her way to help others.

May 1, 2020 is a day of celebration. The reunion that occured in heaven on that day had to be one for the eternities. Ranae was preceded in death by her husband Mickle Brox, son Troy Mickle, father John William Osborn, mother Dona Louise Van Leuven, and brother Dale Osborn.  She is survived by her sister Carol Osborn Nelson, son Shane (Amber Ditlevsen), grandchildren Stanley Brox Ogden (Alyssa Johnson), Taelor NaRae, Mickle Joseph, Hallie Amber, Johnathan Troy, and Brielle Gayle. Ranae’s pride and joy was her family and grandkids.  If you ever talked with Ranae, you knew you would get to hear about each of her grandchildren and probably see her latest pictures. Family was and IS everything to Ranae.

Graveside services will be held Friday, May 8, 2020 at 3:00 pm in the Richfield City Cemetery. A viewing will be held from 9:45-11:45 am at Anderson & Sons Mortuary, 49 East 100 North, American Fork. To comply with Covid-19 regulation, please see the electronic signup sheet to attend Ranae’s viewing at an assigned time at andersonmortuary.com