Obituary - Jesse Bogenhagen, 17

Jesse Weylin Bogenhagen was born August 8, 1985 in Burlington, Colorado. Jesse met his Lord and Maker August 3, 2003, five days before his 18th birthday.

He entered this world with an impact, being born in the back seat of his folks’ blazer. At the age of two, Jesse wrecked this same blazer.

Throughout his short life, Jesse had an impact on everyone who knew and loved him. He seemed wise beyond his years. Jesse was very laid back and happy child and young man.

J.W., as he was lovingly called, had five sets of parents - big brother Chad and sisters, Brandie, Julie, and Holly, along with Mom, Nancy, and Dad, Gene. He didn’t talk real early because he didn’t have to. His brother and sisters showered him with love and toys.

Jesse entered school in Cheyenne Wells. His kindergarten year, he attended school in Weskan, Kansas. What conversations were held on the way to and from school!

Jesse attended school from his first grade through the eleventh grade in Cheyenne Wells. During this period, he was an acolyte at the United Methodist Church, a Boy Scout, member of the Old Wells 4-H Club and later FFA, participated in football, basketball, wrestling and track, and a member of church youth groups.

Jesse loved football and played in junior high and high school, until a shoulder injury kept him from playing. He underwent shoulder surgery last year and was very excited about being able to play his senior year in high school. Jesse bought a 1937 Chevy pickup and was in the process of restoring it. He spent every bit of money he earned on his pickup—and was really anxious to get it done so he could drive it to school. Jesse dreamed of having his own auto shop and restoring hot rod vehicles.

When his big brother and sisters grew up and had families of their own, Jesse became an uncle to eight youngsters. But he wasn’t only their uncle; he was their friend and big brother. He babysat them, fed and bathed them, played with them and was ornery with them. Jesse earned a degree in domestic engineering at an early age.

Jesse’s brother and sisters were constantly on the phone to him—planning hunting trips, Julie’s trip with him to Cancun last spring break, taking him to concerts, shopping, and just visiting with him. They came to watch him participate in sports and to just love him. He gave back all the love he received.

Jesse is survived by his father, Gene Bogenhagen, and mother, Nancy Bogenhagen; brother Chad and Melissa Bogenhagen and children, Amanda, Shayla and Brayden of LaPorte, CO; sister Brandie and Jesse Bellefeuille and children, Aspen, Baxter and Kitridge of Woodrow, CO; sister Julie Bogenhagen of Fort Collins, CO; sister Holly and Nathaniel Mitchek and children Trenton and Miranda, who live south of Kit Carson, CO; grandparents, Gayle and Dorene Bogenhagen and William and Joyce Escudero, all of Cheyenne Wells; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.