Agan, Virginia Lorraine 1927-2015

AGAN, EVANS, BOLTON, HARDY, THOMPSON

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 2/4/2015 at 14:30:18

Virginia Lorraine Agan, 88, died Saturday morning, Jan. 31, 2015, at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines. She was born Jan. 29, 1927, to Earl and Mary Ollie (Evans) Agan.

She attended the Hamilton Schools. She graduated in 1944, and having the distinction of being the only member of the last class to graduate from there. Hamilton school later became part of Twin Cedars. She was baptized and became a member of the Hamilton Methodist Church in April of 1941. She held different memberships since that time; being one the the most dedicated workers ever associated with the church. She worked in various capacities and held many offices over many years. She taught a class since the age of 13. Many different ages have come under her influence. One of her greatest endeavors has been editing, composing, and producing a monthly newsletter with a circulation of more than 100 since 1991. She served as Local Lay Leader when the church reopened in 1987.

She always had a desire to teach, but was unable to afford college. Virginia attained her education “piece-meal” by taking college evening classes. She received her two year diploma from William Penn University Aug. 15, 1952; and her B.S. from Drake University Aug. 21, 1961. She later received her masters degree from Northeast Missouri State University Aug. 10, 1973. She gave 40 consecutive years to teaching the school children of Iowa. Two years in Marysville, starting in 1946; seven years at Hamilton, and from 1955-1986, the last 31 years at Emerson Hough School in Newton, teaching third grade. She was always interested in helping all children to do the best that was in them, but especially the underprivileged and poor. She was truly a dedicated teacher.

Since retirement she enjoyed being in her own home, which she built in 1978. She looked forward to retirement, and being close to nature where she had grown up. Here again she could give care and services to those that needed her; especially the elderly and her mother’s family.

Her main interests in life were teaching, serving others, and her dedication to the work of the church. She lived a life of testimony. She was a life member of Iowa State Education Association, Jasper County Retired Educators Association, and state association, life member of State Historical Society; and life member of the Jasper County Historical Society, member since 1962 of Delta Kappa Gamma Society, and she was also a member of the Hamilton United Methodist Church.

She is preceded in death by her parents; and sister, Mary Again Bolton.

She is survived by three nephews, Bobby Bolton, David Bolton and Alan Bolton, all of Texas; two nieces, Kathy Hardy and Carol Thompson both of Texas; many great nieces and nephews; cousins; other relatives; and many friends and former students.

A celebration of life dervice will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 4 at the Sinnott Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Lovilia, with Pastor Brad Hansen officiating. Burial will follow in Hamilton Cemetery. Visitation will open to the public at 1 p.m. Tuesday, with family present from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday evening at Sinnott Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Lovilia. Memorials may be directed to the Lovila Fire Department or the Bussey Fire Department for all the wonderful care they gave Virginia. Online condolence may be left for the family at sinnottfuneralhome.com. ~ The Newton Daily News, Newton, Iowa 3 Feb 2015.