Norma Ruth "Sis" Bogner

Norma Ruth "Sis" Bogner, 90, formerly of rural Columbia City, passed away at 2:19 a.m. Thursday, December 11, 2025, at Brandy Wine Care Center, Greenfield, where she has been a resident since August 2021.

Born in Noble County, Indiana, on October 14, 1935, she was a daughter of Frank H. and Alice A. (Caldwell) Gage. She completed Albion Elementary School and graduated from Albion High School in 1953.

On September 5, 1953, she married Harry R. Bogner. They made their home in Albion until 1958, when they moved to a farm in Etna-Troy Twp., Whitley County, where they raised three children. Harry died on September 13, 2009. In 2019, Norma moved to Akron to live with her son, and in 2021 to Greenfield.

In addition to being a farm wife and homemaker, Norma worked as a secretary for Magnavox in Fort Wayne, then Whitley County REMC. In 1969, she became a co-owner of the Ponderosa Restaurant in Albion, running the day-to-day operations until her retirement in 2007.

Over the years, she enjoyed camping, especially at Chain-O-Lakes State Park, and bowling in local leagues. She liked a spirited game of euchre and was a diehard Chicago Cubs fan. When the grandkids and great-grandkids came along, they became her focus and joy.

An over-50-year member of the Troy Presbyterian Church, she was a woman of faith and remained active with the church well into her senior years. More recently, she had attended New Hope Wesleyan, Columbia City.

Surviving are her children, William R. Bogner of Columbia City, Shari R. Vanderford of Greenfield, and David (Sherri) Bogner of Columbia City; grandchildren, Kory (Julie) Vanderford, Kessie (Eric) Garrison, Kyle (Alaine) Vanderford, Brooke (Brett Hill) Bogner, Ryan (Cheyenne) Bogner, Jeremy ( Amanda) Bogner, Christopher (Nicole) Bogner, Brendon Bogner; great-grandchildren, Kohen, Emma, and Cole Vanderford, Chloe, Brantley, Jacob, Melanie, Dawson and Daxton Bogner, Aden, Brenna and Lucy Garrison and Ethan, Evan, and Peyton Hill; and a sister, Carolyn (James) Pippenger of Churubusco.

She was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Sara Bogner, and brothers, Richard, Fred, Robert, James, William, Thomas, and Harry Gage.

The funeral service is 11 a.m. on Saturday (Dec. 20th) at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City. Burial is beside her husband at the Troy Presbyterian Cemetery. Visitation is from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday (Dec 19th) at the funeral home.

Memorials in Norma's honor are to the Alzheimer's Association.