Harold Marvin Fagen (1972)

FAGEN, BENSON, VAN ELSEN, BLEZEK, PARKER, EDWARDS

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler (email)
Date: 11/15/2008 at 10:08:56

Earlham Echo – April 27, 1972

Harold Marvin Fagen, son of Albert and Nina Fagen, was born June 7, 1914, near Jamaica, Iowa, and passed from this life while at work in Perry on Monday, April 17, 1972, at the age of 57 years, 10 months, and 10 days.

Harold lived as a young boy and man on a farm near Dawson and graduated from the Dawson High School in 1932. He was joined in marriage to Marie Benson in May 1940, and to this union three sons were born, one son dying during infancy.

Harold was engaged in farming in the Dawson and Earlham communities until in 1966, when he became employed with the Oscar Mayer Company in Perry.

In June, 1967, he was united in marriage to Anna Van Elsen and became a resident of Earlham where he resided at the time of his death.

He was a member of the Methodist church.

In 1965, Harold chose to be a member of Alcoholics Anonymous in Des Moines where he proudly helped others help themselves.

Harold was an avid sports enthusiast—both as a participant and as a spectator. After his basketball and baseball days in high school, he played baseball with several semi-pro teams in the area. He continued to maintain his strong interests in baseball, basketball, and football. Fishing and hunting were also very important to Harold.

A sense of humor, a ready smile, a helping hand, a sincere interest in others—all describe Harold to many of us. A favorite selection of his was:

Dear Lord:

I ain’t what I ought to be
I ain’t what I want to be;
I ain’t what I’m going to be;
But Thanks, Lord,
I ain’t what I used to be.

He was preceded in death by a son, Harold, Jr., and his father Albert C. Fagen. He has left to mourn his passing: his wife, Anna; his son Alan of West Des Moines, daughter-in-law, Bonnie, and granddaughter, Tania; his son, Albert of Earlham, daughter-in-law, Cris, and granddaughter, Tammy; two stepsons, Jim Van Elsen of Roland and Ron Van Elsen of St. Louis, Missouri; four step-grandchildren; his mother, Mrs. Nina Fagen of Perry; his four sisters; Mrs. Alice Blezek of Yale, Mrs. Alberta Parker of Jamaica, Jo Fagen of Aurora, Colorado, and Mrs. Ellen Edwards of Osceola; three nieces and five nephews; and a host of relatives and friends.

Harold will be remembered as a loving husband, a proud father and grandfather, and a beloved son and brother.

Services were held on Thursday, April 20, 1972, at 2:00 p.m. in the United Methodist Church in Earlham with Reverend Ward Young officiating. Casketbearers were Lester Boyle, Phil Fagen, Ambrose Gorman, Carmen Kempf, Jasper Lenocker, and Larry Thompson.

Interment was in the Richland Township Cemetery near Jamaica. The Evans Funeral Home in Earlham was in charge of the arrangements.