Helen C. Hagens

Helen Hagens, age 96, passed away Monday at the Parkside Care Center in Little Chute. She was born August 21, 1912, in Spruce, Wisconsin, daughter of the late Joseph and Lola (La Berge) Martineau. The family moved to Kimberly when Helen was twelve, and later she married Lawrence Hagens on September 20, 1932 in Kimberly; Lawrence preceded her in death in 1999, after sixty-seven years of marriage.

Helen was very skilled in all of the domestic arts – sewing, tailoring, upholstery, cooking, baking, and especially making desserts! She and Lawrence always enjoyed hosting bountiful Christmas dinners at their home and 4th of July celebrations at their summer cottage on Lake Winnebago. Her greatest pleasure was visiting with family, friends, and neighbors. She looked forward to visits from grandchildren and hearing about their activities. When her family was grown, Helen and Lawrence enjoyed cross-country trips with Helen driving and Lawrence navigating. She also enjoyed many bus trips with her sister, brother, and their spouses. One of the highlights of her travels was a 1985 overseas trip to Germany, Switzerland, and Austria with her daughter's family. To relate memories of her trip, she could also refer to her hand-written travel journals.

Helen is survived by seven loving children:

Lois (Charles) Neuser of Darboy and their children: Mary (Lee) Waldhart, Scott (Carol) Neuser, Thomas Neuser, and John (Jennifer) Neuser;

Peter (Darlene) Hagens of Hilbert and their children: Kelly (Jeff) Krueger, Chris (Steve) Van Deurzen, Nicole (Mike) Mongan, and Paula (Kevin) Schuh;

Charles (Barbara) Hagens of Combined Locks and their children: Greg (Kathy) Hagens, Charles A. (Sue) Hagens, Carrie (Dave) Merkel, Dan (Donna) Hagens, and Dawn (Brian) Baker;

Clifford (Joyce) Hagens of Hilbert and their children: Stephanie (Brent) Shepherd, Lisa (Frank) Halbach, David Hagens, and Cassandra Hagens;

Jerome (Barbara) Hagens, MD of Appleton and their children: Nathan Hagens and Todd (Jennifer) Hagens;

Michael (Carol) Hagens of Darboy and their children: Nicole (Eric) Miller, Brad Hagens, and Terri (Josh) Joseph;

and Mark (Kay) Hagens of Kimberly.

Helen is also survived by a daughter-in-law: Joan Hagens of Laona and her children: Larry Hagens and Michelle (Dan) Madden; there are also forty-one great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; three sisters-in-law: Adeline Rusch, Estella Fahrbach, and Norma Martineau. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Lawrence in 1999, a son Ralph Hagens, a sister Cecilia (Henry) Coonen, a brother Ralph Martineau, and brothers-in-law Howarth Rusch, Henry Fahrbach, and Orville Hagens, and by Lawrence's parents Peter and Cornelia Speel Hagens.

The funeral liturgy for Helen will be held at 12:00 Noon on Monday, August 3, 2009 at HOLY SPIRIT PARISH, 600 E. Kimberly Avenue in Kimberly with Fr. David Beaudry officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery. Friends may call directly at the church on Monday morning from 10:00 AM until the time of the service.

Helen's day at Parkside Care Center was brightened by many visits from family and friends. The family would like to especially thank Helen Gaffney and Norma Martineau for always keeping Helen in their thoughts, visits, and prayers. The family is also grateful to the staff at Parkside and to Dr. Daniel Smith for their excellent care and special attention.

Mom, you guided us by your strength, grace, love, persistence, and determination. Your spirit will be with us always.

Jansen Fargo Funeral Home
204 E. Kimberly Avenue
Kimberly, WI 54136
920-788-6202