Susanne "Susie or Shiny" Elliott Sogard and Ralph John "Jack " Sogard

Susie had so much fun, fun, fun. She was born to George B. & Ruth Helen “Booie” Elliott in Indianapolis, IN and attended Broad Ripple High School. She is preceded in death by her parents, her little brother George Charles Elliott and his wife Marian Vyverberg Elliott.

Jack was a kind and gentle soul. He was born in Chicago, IL to Ernestine and Lawrence Taylor “L.T.” Sogard. He attended Shortridge High School. He is preceded in death by his parents.

Here are some of the highlights from their happy life together.

They met at Miami University in Oxford, OH and were married on September 2, 1956 and remained married for sixty-eight blissful years. They had three beloved children, sons, Mike (Linda), and Chris (Laura), and their late daughter Kate.

Jack served in the United States Air Force, stationed in Okinawa, for two and a half years, an experience they both reflected on often throughout the remainder of their lives. Upon his 1959 discharge from the service, he worked for Indiana Bell “The Phone Company” for 31 years before retiring. He was an engaged member at The Indianapolis Junto club and tickled to be crowned Best Joke Teller one year. The trophy (a rubber chicken) remained on proud display in his office for decades. Jack was a board member of the Suemma Coleman Adoption Services. He was a car lover and his red and white 1964 Volkswagen 1200 Deluxe Convertible is in the National Auto Museum (Reno, NV) collection. He was also an avid squash player at the Indianapolis Athletic Club. Known for the ‘Papa eyebrow’, a great laugh, and sense of humor, he was a great friend to many.

Jack simply adored his bride, Susie, and was immensely proud of her. She served as the director of the Benjamin Harrison Home, was an active member of Indianapolis Rotary Club, proud supporter of WFYI, Day Nursery, Hear Indiana, Newfields (especially The Garden & Fairbanks Park) and the Indianapolis Symphony. Her greatest treasures were ice cream (especially Graeters) and the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. She was especially excited to support the making of Dinosphere and even went on dino bone digs in the Dakotas before donating a major gift to bring the exhibit to life. Later she served as a trustee and remained involved with the women of The Children’s Museum Guild until her death.

They lived generously and wherever they went a community followed. They built a home on Grandview Lake near Columbus, IN in 1973 where they hosted generations of family and friends for idyllic summers. You would often see Jack kayaking around the lake followed by a long rest in the painted adirondack chairs on the dock with Susie. Susie was known for exclaiming “One more time!” over and over again because she never wanted the fun to end. She loved cooking (especially with music blaring in the background and singing along) and going above and beyond for her guests, while Jack loved photographing the action and playing with and showing off new tech. They also owned a home in Snowmass, CO where they skied well into their eighties and fueled family and friends up with the famous ‘10K’ waffles every morning. In the summer, when they weren’t at Grandview, they were hiking the Rockies and enjoying performances at the Aspen Music Festival and School.

They both found so much joy in each other and the people they loved including more friends than you could count.

They are survived by their sons, Mike (Linda) Sogard and Chris (Laura) Sogard; their grandchildren, Lauren (John), Emily (Jack), Caroline, Abigail, and Annabelle; nieces, Molli (Russell) Cameron, Jane (Eric) Nichols, and Nicole (Craig) Kelker; nephews, John (Karen) Elliott, David (Malinda) Elliott, and Chris Vyverberg; as well as many beloved great-nieces and nephews and extended family members.

Jack and Susie will be missed dearly but their legacy of love and generosity will continue through the organizations and people they loved. Memorial contributions can be made to the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis (https://give.childrensmuseum.org/tribute) or any of the causes listed above.