Emmagene Durham Hogrefe was a friendly person and always had a smile and sense of humor. She was born to Eathlin Agnes Lathrop Durham and Jessie Franklin Durham on April 3, 1925, and departed this world on September 17, 2009 at the age of 84.
Emmagene was born in Cushing OK. At the age of 5 years, her family moved to an acreage north of the city. She was educated at Deep Rock School and Cushing High School with the class ’43. Her favorite school activities were tennis and basketball and her special love for her 4-H club work, showing swine and poultry and winning many ribbons on her exhibits.
On June 26, 1943 Emmagene married Ervin “Ben” Hogrefe. They lived on a farm west of Cushing until Ben’s death in 1995, with the exception of 2 years when they lived in Colorado for Ben’s health. She loved the outdoor life, helping raise cattle and crops with her husband. She was a good home-maker and cook. She worked several years in the Sunnyside School cafeteria as a cook and also organized the first 4-H Club at the school. She was 4-H coach for 7 years and loved working with children.
Emmagene and her husband owned and operated “Ben’s Gas House” service station in Cushing for 11 years where she was bookkeeper. She helped organize the Sunnyside Extension Homemakers Club in 1965 and was a charter member. She had 27 years perfect attendance in the club, which is now known as Home and Community Education Club. She had numerous entries in the county fair for over 45 years, winning many ribbons with her canning and sewing and received a Ball Jar award 11 years in succession. She was president of the Sunnyside HCE Club for over 15 years.
Emmagene was a member of the Big Creek Church of the Brethren, serving on various committees and was active in the Women’s Fellowship as secretary and treasurer for a number of years.
In addition to her husband and parents, Emmagene was preceded in death by her brother Clifford Durham, her sister Jestean Coxwell, brother-in-law Coney Coxwell, brother-in-law Jack Hamilton, Jr., and her precious grandson Kevin Kersey Brennan.
Survivors include her five children: Jim Ben Hogrefe and wife Karen, Susie Jean Brennan and husband Pat, Jackie Ervin Hogrefe and wife Marie, all of Cushing OK., Peggy Ann Holleyman and husband Mike of Okla. City, and Jerry L. Hogrefe and wife Susan of Red River, NM; 1 extended family member: Snyder Sloan and family of Red River, NM. Additionally, she is survived by 2 sisters-in-law: Ruth Hamilton of Cushing, OK and Jenella Durham of La Feria, TX; 2 nieces: Carolyn Jean Durham of La Feria, TX and Charlotte Hamilton Andrews and husband Larry of Edmond, OK; 4 nephews: Clifford Durham, Jr. and wife Sherilyn of La Feria, TX, Jesse Durham of Houston, TX, Coney Coxwell, Jr. of Austin, TX and Tommy Hamilton and wife Linda of Canute, OK. Emmagene departed this world leaving 11 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, and 3 special cousins: Jerry Lathrop of Chandler, OK, Juanita Tarver and Mary Eathlin Rainbow, both of Ripley, Ok.
Funeral services are pending. Details will be available through Davis Funeral Home.
You may share your condolences with the Hogrefe family at www.davisfh.net.
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