Barbara Ann Buddeke Ogden

Heaven got another angel. After struggling and recovery from a stroke, Barbara Buddeke Ogden has passed away on Oct 28, 2025 at age 77. Born in 1948 to Charles & Carolyn Buddeke, Barbara survived in a household of three brothers. A cradle to grave Catholic and Louisvillian, Barbara cherished her religion, her Highland roots and the friends from St. Agnes. After which she graduated from Nazareth Academy (motherhouse of the Charity nuns) in Bardstown, Ky. It was then she became a life-long Wildcat enrolling at University of Kentucky receiving her Bachelor and Master's degrees in Education.
After a few years teaching in Lexington, she returned to Louisville and taught at Mother of Good Counsel, before following the almighty dollar and a $ 750/yr raise lured her to teach kindergarten at Louisville Collegiate. It was at Collegiate that she cemented so many, many solid relationships with not just her students, but the older students and all the siblings and parents that make up such the fantastic and honorable families and a loyal community.
Barbara remained proud of her escalating the Kindergarten Derby from a remote corner of the campus activity to the major focus bringing in the grandparents, parents, Derby Princesses, to cheer 25-30 five-year-olds in the best race in town on broomstick horses. Highlights include the glory years of the 80's and 90's when not much else was going on Derby Thursdays and ABC had film crews and looking for a story arrived to cover this Kindergarten Derby event. National TV. Another feather in her cap she wears proudly is that by every Christmas break she had every kindergartener reading. (Remember starting with An Apple?). After "retiring" from Collegiate a former student asked her to come sub at Holy Spirit and ten years later really did retire.
All awhile being involved and creating lasting friendships with her buddies from the Junior League. Another passion led her to over 25 years of service to Broadway in Louisville stage plays, and working backstage feeding performers between matinees, etc. Serving on that Board was an honor and gave Barbara the opportunity to buy extra tickets that she shared with former students allowing them to engage and enjoy our Arts programs.
Having met on one blind date in college before he left for the army, it was 20 years later that a tennis buddy (another passion of Barbara's) set her up on a blind date with Paul Ogden. And as they say, the rest is history. When asked if they had any children, they were elated to say absolutely YES. We had about 25 new five years olds every year and love them all. Barbara and Paul always felt honored to be included in their lives being invited to graduations, weddings, baby showers, etc. Thankfully we never made the list of these gender reveal parties (whatever they are?).
Barbara is predeceased by her parents and infant brother, Joseph
Barbara leaves behind over 2,000 treasured kindergarten students; husband, Paul; sister-in-law Hope Ann; brothers, Charles (Jan), Richard, and Paul (Debra); 9 nieces and nephews; and dearest friends whom thanks for their graciousness and friendship especially, Kitty, Sylvia, Mary Ann, and Gretchen; and just a whole lotta people she would like to hug.
Visitation will be held from 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. on Thursday, November 6, 2025 at Ratterman & Sons Funeral Home 3800 Bardstown Road. Her memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Friday, November 7, 2025 at St. Frances of Rome Catholic Church 2119 Payne Street.
Burial will be held at a later date in Calvary Cemetery.
Memorial and remembrances are appreciated and might be directed to your choice of children's education programs and schools. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Barbara, please visit our floral store.