Enid Rosella Wogen

Enid Rosella Wogen

July 3, 1936 – July 5, 2025

This fallen world received a precious gift from God on July 3, 1936, when Enid Rosella (Lien) Wogen was born to Norwegian immigrants Hans and Anna (Dahle) Lien in a farmhouse near Joice, Iowa. Growing up on the farm with three older sisters, Enid learned skills that she artfully used and shared throughout her life to brighten every place that she would call home. Not only did she enjoy sewing, knitting, needlework, and cross-stitch, but she also had a special way of calming a household with her beautiful piano-playing and singing.

Upon graduation from Joice High School, Enid began studies at Waldorf College in Forest City, Iowa, but then a life-changing event occurred. Enid met a dashing young man named Arlen Wogen at a summer roller-skating rink, and the courtship of a lifetime ensued. Following the momentous couples-skate event at the rink, when they skated together for the first time, Arlen, a student at Iowa State University, would hitch-hike to Joice on weekends to spend time with Enid. The young couple got married on August 28, 1955, at Bethany Lutheran Church in Joice, Iowa. Shortly thereafter, Enid and Arlen left Iowa to establish their home and family on the west coast, first in California, and then in Oregon and Washington, with brief sojourns to several other states in the meantime, including Indiana, Louisiana, Illinois, and Wyoming.

Throughout the various stages of her life, Enid maintained a strong multi-faceted focus on family that will inspire many generations to come. First and foremost, Enid was committed to developing a strong relationship with her heavenly Father. To that end, she dedicated time to Bible study, prayer, worship, singing in church choirs, and teaching Sunday School. Second, Enid was committed to faithfulness and growing in her marriage to Arlen. In essence, her relationship with Arlen is a wonderful example of steadfast faithfulness within the covenant of marriage, much like the relationship that God intends for Christ Jesus and His bride, the church. Finally, Enid was committed to providing a nurturing and supportive environment for her children and extended family members. While this commitment involved a wide range of activities, it is best exemplified by her tireless hosting of numerous large family meals and get-togethers. Enid was so committed to developing family connections that she even published her favorite recipes for such occasions, including Norwegian recipes, in the hope that they might stimulate current and future generations to connect and grow together. Many family members will be blessed to follow the example set by Enid’s multi-faceted focus on family. Surely, the love that God brought into the world through his dear child Enid will live on through those who follow in her narrow footsteps.

Enid is survived by her loyal husband of nearly 70 years, Arlen, of Vancouver, WA; son Eldon (Melea) Wogen of Yacolt, WA; daughter, Elizabeth (Timothy) Myers of Cody, WY; son Randall (Rita) of Beaverton, OR; two grandsons: Nicholas (Tirsa) Myers of Albuquerque, NM, and Daniel (Holly) Myers of Vancouver, WA; three granddaughters: Kara Reinhardt of Battle Ground, WA, Katrina Wogen of Battle Ground, WA, and Tamara (Tyler) Wogen of Battle Ground, WA; and twelve great-grandchildren: Jared, Erik, Grant, AJ, Farley, Samuel, Charlotte, Kennedy, Deirdre, Aksel, Annalise, and Matthias. She was preceded in death by her parents, her three sisters: Lovenea (Lester) Groe, Arlene (Raymond) Schlader, and Gwendolyn (Curtis) Ouverson; granddaughter April Wogen; grandson Keith Wogen; and great-granddaughter Laura Myers.