Paul Vaagen

VAAGEN, SMITH, OLSON, DEGNEPOLD

Posted By: David Strommen (email)
Date: 12/2/2007 at 17:40:30

Paul Vaagen, 88
Paul V. Vaagen, age 88 of Forest City, died Sunday, April 13, 2003 at Muse Norris Hospice in Mason City. Funeral service will be Wednesday, April 16, at 11:00 AM at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Forest City with Rev. Lee Laaveg officiating. Burial will be at Oakland Cemetery in Forest City. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 PM Tuesday, April 15, at Petersen Lund Funeral Home 505 N Clark St Forest City IA 50436 641-585-2685

Paul Vernared Vaagen was born on September 10, 1914 in Rake, Iowa, the second of eight children born to Peder O. and Anna (Munson) Vaagen. He was baptized and confirmed at Liberty Lutheran in Rake and received his education in Rake.

On October 14, 1940 he joined the National Guard in Mason City, Iowa. He joined the Fifth Army, 34th Division, 144 Co. "F", starting active duty February 1941 in Camp Clayborne, LA. His Army tenure included Northern Ireland, England, Scotland, and Algiers Africa. He was injured while on guard duty one night and underwent many operations for a shrapnel injury to his right leg. He was awarded the Purple Heart and even though he suffered countless days of pain, his family and friends rarely heard a word of complaint.

Upon returning to the US he went to work for the Rake School, employed as head cook, bus driver, and custodian. He fell in love with Betsy Olson, a "tall beautiful teacher" also employed there. Paul and Betsy were wed June 28, 1950. Two years later Steven Carl was born. Their second child, Julie Ann, came later. Paul and Betsy made their home in Forest City, Iowa.

Paul remained active in Boy Scouts, The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and DAV. Throughout his life he was a police officer and grocery store owner in Rake, Chief Mechanic at the Forest City Canning Company, an electrician for Fields in Forest City, chief mechanic for Fryer Farms of Forest City and finally twelve years with Waldorf College as Chief Production Manager Food Department.

After his retirement he and Betsy took two trips to Norway, two trips to Hawaii, and three trips to Alaska. He loved gardening and spending time with his grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Betsy of Forest City, his two children, Steven Carl Vaagen of Marshalltown and Julie Smith and husband Darrell of Forest City, three grandchildren, Bjorn, Anna and Quincey all of Forest City. Also surviving are four sisters: Gertrude Russ of Blue Earth, MN, Edna Chidester and husband Eugene of Mesa, AZ, Ada Leland and husband Wally of Cheyenne, WY, Anna Mae Nodland and husband Eugene of Frost, MN and a brother, Martin Vaagen and his wife Corinne of Stasca, IL.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Oscar and Otis. Paul, you are forever in our hearts. You touched all you encountered with your wit, wisdom, stories, jokes and above all, your love and caring. Your life has ended, but you continue to write your story in our hearts.