Betsy Rose Vaagen

Betsy Rose Vaagen, 89, of Forest City, died Tuesday, March 7, 2017 at the Mercy Medical Center in Mason City, Iowa.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M., Saturday, March 11, 2017 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Forest City with the Rev. Rod Hopp officiating.

Visitation will be held 5:00 – 7:00 P.M. Friday, March 10, 2017 at Cataldo Schott Funeral Chapel, 505 North Clark St. Forest City, IA. Burial will be held in Oakland Cemetery in Forest City.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Immanuel Lutheran Church.

Betsy Rose Vaagen was born on a farm in rural Scarville, Iowa on November 9, 1927, the daughter of Carl and Jenny (Degnepold) Olson. She was baptized and confirmed at Scarville Synod Lutheran church in Scarville. She received her education in a rural school and graduated from Scarville High School. She graduated from Waldorf University to pursue a career in teaching.

On June 28, 1950, she married her true love, Paul Vaagen. Together they had two children, Steven Carl, and Julie Ann.
Betsy was a lifetime member of AEA, American Legion Auxiliary Post 121 (54 years), and Immanuel Lutheran Church of Forest City, where she taught Sunday school and was active in Ladies Aid. After retirement, she enjoyed traveling to Norway, Hawaii, and Alaska.

She is survived by her daughter, Julie (Darrell) Vaagen-Smith; grandchildren, Bjorn (Amanda) Vaagensmith, Anna Vaagensmith, and Quincey (Jonny) Krein, Eugene and Anna Mae Nodland, and Ada Leland.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Paul; her brother, Paul & Alice Olson; her sister, Jean & Gerald Heimendinger and her son, Steven.

Betsy will forever be remembered for her loving heart, caring ways, deep and abiding faith in her Lord and Savior, Jesus, and ever present smile.