Jean Hageman

Jean Hageman, age 81 of Decorah, IA, died on Wednesday, December 25, 2019 at her home north of Decorah. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, December 31, 2019 at the St. Benedict Catholic Church in Decorah with Rev. Donald Hertges presiding. Burial will be in the Our Lady of Mount Carmel cemetery in Lawler. Visitation will be from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Monday, December 30, 2019 at the St. Benedict Catholic Church in Decorah and also after 9:30 a.m. at the Church on Tuesday morning. A Christian witness sharing will be held from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m., open to all to share life experiences regarding how Jean reinforced and influenced your faith. Jean Marie Gebel was born on March 14, 1938 on the family farm near North Washington, IA the daughter of Frank and Helen (Schwickerath) Gebel. She was the eighth of ten children. At the age of four, they moved to a farm outside of Lawler, IA where she attended Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School. On November 5, 1956, Jean was united in marriage to Leon Hageman at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church. To this union eight children were born. Two of the children were born while they farmed near Ossian, two while they farmed near Burr Oak and the final four were born while they farmed north of the North Winneshiek School. They divorced in 1996 and Jean lived on the farm west of the North Winneshiek School for over twenty-three years. For a number of those years she worked at Gena’s chicken and pizza restaurant in Cresco, IA. She then worked at the Jack & Jill grocery store in Decorah until it closed. She received great satisfaction during the next fourteen years as an in-home caregiver of sick and elderly until she retired in 2011. In addition to her farming experiences, she also enjoyed gardening, cooking, canning, flowers and other yard work. She was renowned for her cooking, including her potato salad which she catered for many years. She was a member of the Catholic Daughters of the America’s and the Rosary Society at St. Benedict Catholic Church. Her favorite hobby was playing cards. More than anything, she loved her family and spending time with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Jean is survived by her six sons: Ricky “Rick” Hageman, rural Decorah, IA; Craig Hageman, Streamwood, IL; Wayne (Lynn) Hageman, rural Decorah, IA; Gerald “Jerry” (friend, Shelly Sutton) Hageman, Cresco, IA; Norman (Cynthia) Hageman, Dallas, TX and John (Melody) Hageman, Altoona, IA. Two daughters: Donna (Eugene) Underbakke, Cresco, IA and Sandra “Sandy” Hageman, Rochester, MN. Eighteen grandchildren: Randy (fiancé, Elaine Loots) Hageman, Russell Hageman, Lyndee Underbakke, Rachael (Jason McKenna) Underbakke, Lars (Amy) Underbakke, Miranda Kuennen, Brandon Kuennen, Grant Hageman, Blake Hageman, Clark Hageman, Nicholas “Nick” (Samantha) Hageman, Caitlyn (Jarad) Dotseth, Evan Hageman, Ryan Hageman, Jesseca Hageman, Jonathan Hageman, Emma Hageman and Jackson Hageman. Four great grandchildren and one due in May. Brother: Joe (Diana) Gebel, Lawler, IA. Sisters: Leona Kriener, Cresco, IA and Lucille (Francis) Reicks, New Hampton, IA. Brother-in-law: Jim Liebold, Lawler, IA. Sister-in-law: Darlene Gebel, New Hampton, IA. Loretta Kleve’s special friend: LaVerne Blue, Waucoma, IA. Jean was preceded in death by her parents: Frank and Helen Gebel. Three brothers: LeRoy (Mary Agnes) Gebel; Robert (Rita) Gebel and Francis Gebel. Three sisters: Marilyn (Francis Burns) Liebold; Doris (Raymond) Balik and Loretta (Pete) Kleve.