Jeffrey Leland Ogden

Jeff Ogden, age 65, of Manchester, Iowa, passed away peacefully, Friday September 8, 2023, at his home surrounded by love and his family.

Jeffrey Leland Ogden was born on November 12, 1957, to Barbara (Packer) Slater and Leland Slater in Iola, Wisconsin. His parents separated, and his mother remarried in 1963 to Richard Ogden. Jeff and his two sisters were legally adopted by Rich who moved the family to Manchester. Jeff worked with his dad at a very young age and learned the well drilling business alongside his dad.

Jeff graduated from West Delaware High School, where he met his bride to be, Diane Engelken. They were united into marriage on September 24, 1977, at St. Joseph Church in Greeley. Three wonderful sons were born into this union. Jeff worked in the insurance business and continued in the well drilling business (6th generation) operating with his three sons.

Jeff was an active part of his community, was a member of the Manchester Fire Department and held a seat as a City Council member, where he voiced his concerns for the citizens of Manchester. He was the past and is the present President of the Iowa Water Well Association. If Jeff had a passion, it would be creating free community events at “The Watershed" in Manchester, located along the Maquoketa River, where up until a couple years ago he operated a kayak rental business. He loved bringing the community and people together to enjoy an evening of free food and entertainment and to spread goodwill.

Jeff loved horses. He loved riding, training, giving lessons, and horse racing. He moved his young family to Torrey, Utah for a couple years and managed a horse ranch. He traveled to the Middle East for a few years selling and transporting racehorses on cargo planes. He enjoyed spending time with his family, friends, and grandchildren at their cabin at "Lake Diane," a pond he named after his wife. Jeff loved his family, his community, a lively debate, politics, a good joke, and pumpkin pie. He had a great sense of humor and would often introduce himself to strangers as “I'm Independent, obnoxious and a little bit stubborn, but other than that I'm one great guy"!

Left to cherish his memories include his wife Diane of 45 years; three sons, Luke (Tracey), Ben (Kara), and Eric; five grandchildren, Sam, Karly, Drew, Jace and Lane Ogden; two sisters, Pat (Tom) Colthurst and Sharie (Roger) Cummings; mother-in-law, Rita Engelken; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and their families.

Jeff was proceeded in death by his mother, Barbara Ogden; fathers, Rich Ogden and Leland Slater; father-in-law, Ralph Engelken, brothers-in law Steve and Fred Engelken and John Mantele; sister-in-law Laurie Monaghan Engelken; niece Charlee Engelken; and nephews Kreid and Devon Walker.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jeffrey Leland Ogden, please visit our floral store.