Brian J. Ogne, 82, of Elkhorn, died peacefully surrounded by his family on Wednesday Sept. 23, 2026, at Village Glen in Lake Geneva. Brian is a Norwegian by heritage, an American by birth, and a Christian by rebirth, born on June 8, 1944, in Chicago, to Christian parents, the late Leonard and Eleanor (Reinersten) Ogne. Brian married his high school sweetheart in their last year of college on Aug. 21, 1965, at Bethel Community Church in Chicago.
Brian’s employment started with the Internal Revenue Service. From there he and Barb were called as home missionaries to Camp Willabay in Williams Bay, an Evangelical Free church camp. After three years there, Timber-lee Christian Center was established in 1972 on a purchased property in East Troy, which continued his over 40 years of ministry in Christian camping. During these years Brian and Barb were privileged to see their children born and brought up in a Christian environment and come to know the Lord Jesus as their savior. Their children have married and have families of their own. In 2005 Brian transitioned from Executive Director to President Emeritus. After that he started a consultation company called Ogne Resources, LLC to help non-profits build development programs, day missionaries and help non-profits honor their past, cultivate their present, and prepare for their future.
Among all the ministry Brian was involved in, including roles within Calvary Church; he enjoyed fishing trips, walks in nature, time at their family cabin in St. Ignace, Michigan, family, and ministering to people.
Brian is survived by his wife, Barb; children, Brent (Donnie) Ogne, Brenda (Peter) Haugen, Becki (Will) Bu escher; grandchildren, Taylor (Robby) Maita, Baileigh (Josh) Bremmerman, Brooklynne (Dylan) Foote, Karl (Hazel) Ogne, Colton (Emmy) Ogne, Ezekiel (Morgan) Haugen, Zoe (Ethan) Sindelir, Zetta Haugen, Samuel Buescher, Elsa Buescher, and Elias Buescher; 13 great-grandchildren; siblings, Donald (Anne) Ogne, Susan Ogne, Ellen Gibbs, and Jane (Robert) Nelson; and sister-in-law Patsy Ogne. Brian is preceded in death by his parents Leonard and Eleanor, and brother, Wayne Ogne.
A family-run Memorial Service will take place for Brian at Calvary Community Church, N2620 Harris Road in Lake Geneva on Saturday Oct. 10, 2026, at 3 p.m. Visitation will take place before the service beginning at 2 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Camp Timber-lee, N8705 Scout Road, East Troy, WI 53120.
Brian’s arrangements are under the direction of Haase-Lockwood & Associates Funeral Home and Crematory of Elkhorn. An online guestbook can be found at www.haaselockwoodfhs.com.
“So naturally we proclaim Christ. We warn everyone we meet, and we teach everyone we can all that we know about Him, so that, if possible, we may bring every man up to his full maturity in Christ Jesus.” Colossians 1:28-29.