Bogen, Allen W. 1884-1953

BOGEN, JOHNSON

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 1/15/2009 at 20:30:14

ALLEN BOGEN

Funeral services for Allen W. Bogen, 68, prominent Chicago organist and former resident here, who died Thursday in Chicago after suffering a heart attack, were at 2 p.m. Monday at the Mauer funeral home here. Rev. Bartz assisted by Warren Lillie Shriner, officiated.

Burial, with graveside Masonic rites, was in the LeMars cemetery. The body arrived here Sunday.

Mr. Bogen, who came to LeMars with his family as a boy of 5 and lived here until early manhood, held several important musical posts at the time of his death. He was serving his second term as dean of the Illinois chapter of the American Guild of Organists, was a charter member and past officer of the Chicago chapter, and past president of the Harrison-Wild Organ Club.

He had been organist with the Chicago Mendelssohn club since 1913, and had been with the organ department of the W.W. Kimball Co. He was organist at Chicago’s famous Medinah temple for many years and had played dedicatory concerts in many cities throughout the country.

Mr. Bogen was born March 8, 1884, at Wireton, Ont. He married Miss Ora Johnson, June 22, 1915, in Chicago. His wife is also an organist and held many important positions in Chicago. He began his instruction in organ here and was organist at the First Methodist church while in high school.

Survivors include his wife, Ora, of Chicago; two sisters, Mrs. Lillian Hamer of Los Angeles; Mrs. Ella Challin of Sheldon; two brothers, Arthur, of Oklahoma City, Okla., and Walter Bogen of LeMars. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Bogen and a brother, Harry, of LeMars.

Mrs. Lillian Hamer went by plane to Chicago, to accompany the body to LeMars.

~Source: LeMars Globe-Post, February 16, 1953