Paul Vernared Vaagen
1914 - 2003 (88 years)
Person ID: I8115 "Hessevaag-Bakke" | Last Modified: 14 Apr 2022
1927 - 2017 (89 years)
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Name Paul Vernared Vaagen Gender Male Birth 10 Sep 1914 Rake, Winnebago County, Iowa, USA 
Died 13 Apr 2003 [1] Buried Oakland Cemetery, Forest City, Winnebago County, Iowa, USA 
Paul & Betsy Vaagen
Plot: G-31 -
Family
Wife Betsy Rose Olson (ID:I8108)
b. 9 Nov 1927, Scarville, Winnebago County, Iowa, USA
d. 7 Mar 2017, Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa, USA (Age 89 years) Marriage 28 Jun 1950 Children 1. Steven Carl Vaagen (ID:I8116)
b. 26 Jun 1952, Forest City, Winnebago County, Iowa, USA
d. 2 Oct 2015 (Age 63 years)+ 2. Living (ID:I8117) -
Event Map
Birth - 10 Sep 1914 - Rake, Winnebago County, Iowa, USA 
Child - Steven Carl Vaagen - 26 Jun 1952 - Forest City, Winnebago County, Iowa, USA 
Buried - - Oakland Cemetery, Forest City, Winnebago County, Iowa, USA = Link to Google Earth 
: Address
: Location
: City/Town
: County/Shire
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Source Citations
- [FIND-A-GRAVE] Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/83793962/paul-vernared-vaagen.
Paul Vernared Vaagen
BIRTH 10 Sep 1914
Rake, Winnebago County, Iowa, USA
DEATH 13 Apr 2003 (aged 88)
Iowa, USA
BURIAL
Oakland Cemetery
Forest City, Winnebago County, Iowa, USA
PLOT G-31
MEMORIAL ID 83793962 · View Source
MEMORIAL
PHOTOS 1
FLOWERS 2
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.
Funeral services were held at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Forest City, Iowa at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, April 16, 2003, Rev. Lee Laaveg officiating. Music was by Margie Markusen, soloist and Leonard Markusen, organist. Casket bearers were David Heimendinger, Harold Kobriger, Brett Terhaar, Robert Langald, Daryl Silrum, David Vaagen. Interment was in the Oakland Cemetery in Forest City, Iowa. Military rites were by the American Legion Post 121 and VFW Post 6161.
- Information from the funeral service bulletin