Barbara Stewart Bogguss passed away Monday, February 13, 2023 in Elgin, Illinois, at the age of 100 years and 5 months. No funeral will be held but a private remembrance event will be conducted by and for members of her immediate family by the Fippinger Funeral Home in Aledo, Illinois.
She was born August 31, 1922, in Lynn Center, Illinois, to Katherine and James Stewart. Barbara (“BJ”) was a graduate of New Windsor High School in New Windsor, Illinois, and also attended Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa.
She married Charles Francis (“Bud”) Bogguss in 1941 and resided most of her life in Aledo. While Bud was fighting in the South Pacific during WW II, Barbara worked at the International Harvester plant in East Moline, Illinois. In later years (1963-1975) she was an executive assistant at Eagle Foods headquarters in Milan, Illinois.
Barbara was very involved in her community of Aledo for many years as she and Bud raised their family. She was a past president of the VFW Auxiliary Post 1571 in Aledo.
She was also president of ladies golf at Oakview Country Club in Aledo. She was an avid bowler and golfer. She also served as a leader in Brownie and Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts in Aledo while her children participated in those various
programs. She formed a Variety Stage Group in Aledo and performed in many of its productions.
Barbara was a member of the College Avenue Presbyterian Church in Aledo and sang in the church choir for 50 years. She was also a church Elder. She was, well into her 90s, a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Naperville, Ill. And she served as a volunteer in the Diabetic Center of Edwards Hospital in Naperville.
For many years after husband Bud’s death Barbara resided in Naperville, St. Charles and Elgin, Illinois, to be near daughter Sally and her family.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Charles; sons, Woodie Bogguss and Kerry Bogguss; brother, James Stewart; and sister, Kay (Stewart) Volbrecht.
Barbara is survived by her son, Scott Bogguss (Jo) of Marion, Iowa; her daughters, Sally Davis (Tony) of St Charles, Illinois, and Susan (“Suzy”) Bogguss Crider (Doug) of Franklin, Tennessee; and six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Barbara had a good long life well lived. She went to Africa and France to help out when daughter Sally was there with her family for a time when Tony was assigned there. And she enjoyed very much following and sometimes accompanying daughter Suzy during many of Suzy’s singing tour events.
She was happily present and honored at a party for her 100th birthday in August, 2022, where her life was lovingly celebrated with many family members and friends from around the country and the world.
In lieu of flowers or other remembrances, the family asks that donations or memorial contributions be made in Barbara’s name to the donor’s favorite charities.