Barbara Bogden

Barbara Ann Bogden, 86, passed away on May 21st, 2025, after a short illness. Born on July 1st, 1938, to Warren and Agnes Sundt in Chicago, Illinois, Barb grew up on the north side of Chicago with her younger brother and sister, Warren and Judy. She met the love of her life, Vincent Bogden, on a beach along Lake Michigan and they were married December 15, 1956. Barb and Vince moved to their dream home in Brodhead, WI in 1975–a five-acre farm, to become known as the “Circle B,” at the foot of a beautiful bluff. They lived an idyllic life there with their four children, Lisa, Marc, and twins, Kristin and Gwyneth until 2003, when they moved to Madison across the street from Kristin and her husband, Gary and their two young children. After Vince’s passing in 2015, Kristin, Gary and Barb built a home together, where she lived until her most recent illness this spring. 

Barb was an avid reader, writer, debater and thinker. She was knowledgeable and skilled in gardening, drawing, music, sewing and cooking/baking. She was a huge sports fan, especially of her Chicago Bears, cheering them on through season after season, and often messaging back and forth with grandson, Josh, to discuss the action during the games. She was a feminist and political whiz. She ran for a Wisconsin State Assembly seat in 1976, and though she did not win, she was successful in bringing the needs of rural farming communities to the forefront during her campaign. She was a history buff and wrote a book, never published, about pioneering women. She was a Brownie/Girl Scout leader for Lisa, Kris and Gwyn when they were younger, then a 4-H adult leader/advisor when they got older. In both roles, she was determined to stay in the background, letting the young people she worked with take the lead, providing guidance when needed. She finished her teaching degree later in life, graduating from Beloit College with honors in 1992, the same year Kris and Gwyn completed their college degrees at UW-Madison. She then taught Sociology at Blackhawk Technical College in 1994-95 and then later worked for the Girl Scouts of America for a short time. She was also a cancer survivor, having been diagnosed with lymphoma in 2009 and undergoing chemotherapy three times before becoming cancer free in 2013. She and Vince both fought cancer, having been diagnosed in 2009 within weeks of each other. Sadly, Vince succumbed to his cancer in 2015, and the family’s fierce matriarch was never quite the same. 

Above all, Barb loved being with her family. She loved them fiercely and wholly. If you were a part of her large extended family, she was your biggest fan and most ardent supporter. And if you were a friend to any of her extended family, she was your supporter too. She and Vince aka, Granny and Gramps, hosted countless holiday/birthday/any day gatherings at the Circle B. Those gatherings were full of laughter, good food, music, games, and love. They continued to host those large gatherings when they moved to Madison. No one in the family could doubt how much Barb cared for and cherished each of them. She attended as many of her children’s, grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s activities as she could, going to sporting events, musical performances and more and making sure you could hear her cheering. She loved making her own greeting cards, often alongside Lisa. She would send those cards to family and friends throughout the year, making them far in advance for future birthdays, anniversaries, graduations and other celebrations. She loved to celebrate! She filled stockings for every family member at Christmas–putting together small collections of gifts for her 4 children and their spouses, her 8 grandchildren and their spouses and her 9 great-grandchildren, thoughtfully collecting the items for each throughout the year. She elaborately decorated her home, both inside and out, for every season and holiday. Her 4th of July celebrations were legendary, especially since her birthday was so close to that national holiday. 

In the words of her great-granddaughter, Emily Regenold, “though she’s no longer here in the way we want her to be, her love is still all around us. We will carry her with us in every laugh, every beautiful flower we see, every hug we give. Her sass, her love and her spirit will always be part of who we are. We love you to the moon and back, Mom/Granny!”

Barb is preceded in death by her parents, her brother, and her beloved husband, Vince. She is survived by her sister, Judy Sundt; her children, Lisa (David) Regenold and their children, Josh (Jenny) Regenold and Sean Regenold, Marc Bogden and his wife, Sharon and their children, Fenix Lefey, Rachel (Matthew) Roemer, and Michelle (Mark) Muetzel, Kristin (Gary) DeLorme and their children, Makai and Kira, and Gwyn (Ted) Friedl and her son, Sam Christensen as well as great-grandchildren, Cordelia, Emily, Elaina and Molly Regenold, Hayden Stewart, Linus Muetzel and Dorian, Emerson and Porter Roemer, as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews, all of whom she loved and talked of fondly to the end.

We would like to thank the staff of St. Mary’s hospital and SSM Hospice for their kindness and care for Mom/Granny and us in her final days.

There will be a small private family gathering this summer, which is what Barb wanted–a celebration with the people she loved the most. 


To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.

Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services
Verona Chapel
220 Enterprise Drive
608-845-6625