Nellie Hagen

Nellie Jane Hagen passed away on Wednesday, May 13, 2015 surrounded by loving family. Jane was born April 14, 1925 to Gertrude and William Geerlings in Taintor, Iowa, but she considered Oskaloosa home. Jane graduated Oskaloosa High School with honors and continued on to get an elementary school teaching certificate. After the war, she met and fell madly in love with John Terry Hagen. They married on October 30, 1946 and had five children. Jane went on to get her bachelors degree from William Penn, followed by a masters degree from Clark College. After graduating with honors, Jane worked as a consultant for the State of Iowa, Department of Education, where she stayed until retirement. She had a life-long passion for learning and education and was a staunch believer in the many values of early childhood education. She loved music, singing, dancing, and most of all shopping. Not a day went by that Jane didnt enjoy a cup of coffee and pouring over the Des Moines Register. She always kept her eye for fashion, never missed her weekly hair appointment and remained a lovely, classy lady up through her 90th birthday. Jane is survived by her daughters: Maureen (Donald) Swan of Urbandale, IA, Teresa McMahan of Indianapolis, IN, and Susan (David) Bade of Urbandale, IA; 7 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband and 2 sons, Paul and John, her parents and sister, Helen Donnelly. A visitation will be held from 3:00 5:00 on Sunday, May 17, 2015 at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home & Crematory. A private family burial will be on Monday. The family would like to thank Kennybrook Village for all of their support and care.