Obituary of Dorothy K. Ogaard

Dorothy K. Ogaard Bedminster—Dorothy Koster Ogaard, 97, died on Monday, April 19, 2010 at Ocean Medical Center in Brick. Dorothy was born in May of 1912 in Brooklyn, NY, daughter of John Henry Koster and Charlotte Henrietta Lohse Koster. Dorothy received her diploma from Girls Commercial High School in 1930 prepared for a career as a secretary. She married Karl J. Ogaard in 1942 as he headed off to war. Upon his return they started their family. Work brought the young family to South Plainfield, New Jersey, their home for the next 36 years. As the town of South Plainfield grew, Dorothy became active in the founding of a new church, St. Stephen's Evangelical Lutheran Church. She served as its first secretary. She was also very active in the ladies auxiliary of VFW Post 6763. Working outside the home was a new concept in the 1950s, but Dorothy took on the challenge of raising her two sons, managing a household, and working at Muhlenberg Hospital from 1959 until her retirement in 1974. By the time she retired, she had advanced to the position of Administrative Assistant for the department of medical education. Dorothy didn't stay in one place after her retirement, but lived in Edison, Lakewood, Holmdel, and Texas, finally returning to New Jersey last year residing in Bedminster. She was fortunate to be able to travel the world, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Germany, Great Britain, and throughout the US. Surviving are her two sons: Allen K. and Steven J., both of Bedminster. She has two foster granddaughters: Doreen Hart-Scola of Medford, NJ; and Khristy Lynn Hart in Biloxi, Mississippi and 2 foster great-granddaughters, Adrianna and Elyanna. She was predeceased by husband, Karl, in1978 and her brother Herman Frederick (Fred) Koster in 1966. Funeral Services will be held on Friday, April 23, 2010 at 11:00AM in the McCriskin-Gustafson Home for Funerals, 2425 Plainfield Avenue, South Plainfield. Entombment will follow in the Franklin Memorial Park Mausoleum, North Brunswick. Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 22, 2010 from 2-4 and 7-9 PM in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to St. Stephen's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 3145 Park Avenue, South Plainfield, NJ 07080 or to the charity of your choice.