Debra Jo “Darwood” Ogden passed away at home surrounded by her loving family and moved to her new heavenly home on Jan. 24, 2022, after a brief battle with cancer. Debra was born Dec. 19, 1952, in Brewster, Washington to Arthur “Bud” Darwood and Annabelle “Mae” Darwood of Twisp. She joined older brother Jim and sister Neta and was later joined by brothers Paul and Scott.
Debra attended school in Twisp and graduated from Twisp High School in 1971. Right after graduation Debra married Stephen Ogden of Okanogan, and together they raised four children, Mindy, Tennille, Curtis and Matthew.
Later Debra welcomed grandchildren Stephenie and Rebecca (whom Debra and Stephen also helped to raise), Tyler, Austin, Peyton, Jayden, Emilee, Kaden, Trey, Jacob, and several others of whom she adopted as her own. She was also the proud Great Grandma Oldie to Annabelle, Aubree, Amelia and Raegen.
Debra’s children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the apples of her eye. She lived every day for them and always made each and every one of them feel very special.
Debra worked for Payless Drug/Rite Aid for over 20 years before retiring in 2011. Debra was very giving of herself and if she was needed, she was there. She always put the needs of others above her own. She loved hard and with her whole being. If you were blessed enough to have her love, you are no doubt experiencing a truly broken heart at this time.
Throughout Debra’s life, she enjoyed dancing (she was a wonderful dancer), gardening, camping, spending time with those she loved and George Strait. Debra was loving and caring for those she knew and even those she didn’t. She truly had a heart of gold.
Debra is survived by her children Mindy (Ron) Champagne of Omak, Tennille (Rich) Bennett of Okanogan, Curt (Melissa) Ogden of Malott and Matt (Jodi) Ogden of Okanogan, as well as Stephenie (Russell) Olmstead of Omak and Becki (Skyler) Baker of Riverside. Ten grandchildren and four great-grandchildren as well as siblings Neta Lappen Reed of Bowman, North Dakota, Paul (Sabina) Darwood of Carlton, Washington, and Scott Darwood of Omak. Best sister friend Chris Elder Doran and special “Shawood” siblings John (Kim) Shaw, Kathie (Ron) Saling, Merrie (Byron) Akita, and Dean Shaw. Numerous nieces, nephews and cousins, all of whom she loved much.
She is preceded in death by her parents Bud and Mae Darwood, brother Jim Darwood and Jack and Catherine Shaw (lifelong close friends who were family). She was also greeted by her most special mother-in-law Wanda Yoder and her special niece April Darwood, as well as her best friend Angie Verduzco. We are confident that a great reunion awaited her as she arrived.
Service to be held on March 5, 2022, at the Mount Olive Grange in Riverside, Washington, at 11 a.m. with potluck to follow.
