Dennis Augusta Bagan 1887-1953

BAGAN, FAHEY, OBRIEN, FLANAGAN, YEPSON, SWIFT

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 5/14/2011 at 21:11:39

Dennis A. Bagan Dies Suddenly
Was Prominent Local Clothier
Dennis A. Bagan, 65, lifelong resident of Emmet county and prominent Estherville businessman, died suddenly shortly after noon yesterday of a coronary occlusion at his home in Estherville. Mr. Bagan had been ill with influenza for about a week but had not been seriously ill.

Mr. Bagan had been in the men’s clothing business in Estherville for 40 years, 20 as an employee of the former Nau Brothers store here and 20 in his own store of D. A. Bagan and Sons.

Born at Dolliver of pioneer Emmet county residents, Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Bagan, on July 20, 1887, Mr. Bagan was one of 11 children. His parents homesteaded near Dolliver and Mr. Bagan’s father and mother were one of five families to found St. Patrick’s parish in Estherville.

He received his education in Dolliver public schools and Estherville high school.

Mr. Bagan married Lomena Fahey, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Fahey, on Sept. 27, 1911 and they became the parents of four children.

Mr. Bagan’s family and his clothing store were the two keystones in his life. He was devoted to his children and greatly enjoyed his grandchildren. Only last fall he was a proud father at the wedding ceremony of the Bagans’ youngest daughter, Irene, at St. Patrick’s church here. Previous to her marriage Irene had taught school and served as a United Air Lines stewardess.

One son, Earl, has been in business with his father and Mervin is an attorney for the Civil Aeronautics authority in Washington, D.C. The eldest daughter, Denise, is married to Dr. L. J. O’Brien, prominent Fort Dodge surgeon.

Mr. Bagan had a wide acquaintanceship in the Estherville community from his many years in business here. He rarely missed a day at his store where he called many customers by their first names. Mr. Bagan was especially well acquainted in the Estherville rural areas and often remarked how many fine farm families there are in this community. He regularly attended church and community suppers and entertainments in several of the rural communities around Estherville.

He was a member of the Kiwanis club and a charter member of the Estherville Elks lodge where he had a life membership.

Survivors in addition to his widow are four children, Mrs. L. J. (Denise) O’Brien of Fort Dodge, Earl of Estherville, Mervin of Washington, D.C., and Mrs. D. E. (Irene) Flanagan of Los Angeles; 12 grandchildren; two brothers, Patrick of Waterloo and David of Des Moines and two sisters, Mrs. Gertrude Yepson of Los Angeles and Mrs. William Swift of Estherville. (Estherville Daily News, Estherville, IA, January 2, 1953)