Born in West Point, Nebraska, Joan was the daughter of Ernest and Bernadine Rickabaugh. Joan trained as a nurse and worked for several years as a Psychiatric Nurse, caring for others with compassion and steadiness. Yet her true calling—one she embraced wholeheartedly—was being a mother and grandmother.
She was always present for her children’s and grandchildren’s activities, cheering them on from hot (and sometimes very cold) baseball, soccer, and football fields; cross country courses; wrestling and judo tournaments; and even writing competitions. She gave her children an extraordinary gift by caring for her grandchildren while they worked, creating memories marked by warmth, humor, and unwavering love. To her family, she was simply the best Mom and Grandma ever.
Joan was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Gordon Ogden, to whom she was married for 52 years until his passing in 2016; her brother, Bill Rickabaugh; and her sister, Kathy Ziska. She is survived by her children, Mary Willis (Rod) and Daniel Ogden (Rebecca); her grandchildren, Rachel Lopez (Joel), Robert Ogden (Savanah), and Emma Grossmann (Hunter); and her great-grandchildren, Lilah Lopez, Noah Lopez, and Winslow Grossmann. Joan also shared a special and enduring bond with Sylvia Ogden, whom she lovingly called “her girl,” and who remained a cherished member of the family. She is further survived by her brother, Bob Rickabaugh, along with extended family and friends who loved her dearly.
A Funeral Mass will be held on December 30th, 2025, starting at 10:00 a.m. at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, located at 5770 N Maroa Avenue, Fresno, California, 93704.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Fresno, California, in Joan's memory.
