Friends Of Sand Springs Drowning Victim Hold Fitting Tribute

Many paid tribute to a young mother, and drowning victim Wednesday night. Friends said Kari Ogden's husband, five-year-old daughter and three-year old son were at Lake Hudson, watching from a nearby boat, when she went under on Saturday and never came back up. Her husband tried to save her, but it was too late.

Wednesday night, in Sand Springs, Kari's friends crafted what they called a fitting tribute.

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Kari graduated from Charles Page High School six years ago, so her friends thought it was a perfect place to share their memories of Kari.

They're messages to heaven, ready to set sail, in memory of Kari.

"I guess this is for you Kari," said longtime friend Jobe Jones.

Jones said a balloon-filled sky is a fitting tribute to Kari, who he said, had a bubbly personality and way about her that could turn anyone's bad day around.

"She just had the greatest smile. She always had the best outlook on life," Jones said.

Friend, Raina Lincoln, said, "She was always there for anybody and she just had the biggest heart."

Lincoln said Kari's heart grew even more with the births of her son and daughter.

"She is such a beautiful person. She was a good mom and a really good wife," she said.

Lincoln said Kari was her best friend for ten years; the two were on the phone together just a few hours before Kari went in the water.

"She's loved and she will be very, very missed," Lincoln said.

As dozens of balloons dotted the blue sky, symbols of lifelong friendships and saying goodbye, Kari's friends said they felt a touch of sadness and a sense of peace.

"I'm still feeling a lot of emotions from it, just knowing that they're going up to see somebody, it's just very, it's touching to see all the colors fade," said Jones.

Kari's body was sent the Medical Examiner's office for an autopsy.

Funeral Services are scheduled for Friday at 4 p.m. in Pryor, where she had just recently moved with her family.