Bernice E. Hagen 1911-2002

HAGEN, HERMAN, BRANDT, SCHUTTEMEIER, VANWAART, MILLER, GROTEGUT

Posted By: SGF (email)
Date: 1/2/2003 at 17:14:24

Bernice E. Hagen, 91, of Waukon, died Wednesday, November 20, 2002, at Good Samaritan Center in Waukon following a lengthy illness. Funeral services were held Saturday, November 23 at First Presbyterian Church in Waukon, with Rev. Larry Olson officiating. Burial was in Oakland Cemetery, Waukon. Martin Funeral Home in Waukon assisted with arrangements. Bernice Esther Herman was born on June 7, 1911, in Union Prairie Township, rural Waukon, the daughter of August and Caroline Minnie (Brandt) Herman. She was baptized at Zalmona Presbyterian Church in Ludlow and later confirmed at First Presbyterian Church in Waukon. She graduated from Waukon High School in 1931 and received her teaching certificate from the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls. Bernice taught rural school for five years at the Churchtown School and one year at Ludlow #2. On December 25, 1937, she married Walter G. Hagen at the First Presbyterian Church. Together they farmed in Ludlow Township until Walter's death on October 20, 1953. Bernice stayed on the farm until moving to Waukon in 1957. She took care of her uncle, George Herman, for three years until his death in 1960, then lived with her sister, Mabel, until her death on September 30, 1992. Following that, she moved in with her twin sister Dorothea, after she lost her husband Otto in November 1992. Since 1998, Bernice has lived at the Good Samaritan Center. Bernice worked for 23 years as a certified Nurse's Aide and a Medical Aide at the Good Samaritan Center where she was chosen "Staff Member of the Year" in 1987. She has been a long-time member of First Presbyterian Church, PW, and Sarah Circle. Bernice was a compassionate nurse and loved to read to her patients. She loved animals, especially her pet dog "Cuddles". She was a talented musician and played the piano and organ in many programs at local nursing homes and churches. She was also a prolific poet. Survivors include a sister, Dorothea Schuttemeier of Waukon; a godchild, Lisa Van Waart of Anamosa; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded by her parents; her husband Walter; two sisters, Mabel Miller and Hertha Grotegut; and two brothers, Elmer and Lawrence Herman.
Honorary casketbearers were Ruben Herman, Sonny Hoffman, Brad Herman, Jay Johnson, Claude Schafer, Jan Esch, and Nyles Herman. Casketbearers were Brent Herman, Douglas Van Waart, Abby Habhab, Eugene Herman, Donald Hanson, and Walter Herman

©Waukon Standard 2002
-source: Waukon Standard, Nov. 27, 2002