Katheryn Jean Hager, age 93 of Bloomington, Illinois, formerly of Altona died on May 2, 2015 at her daughter Robin’s home in Bloomington.
She was born January 23, 1922 in Altona. Jean was the first of four children (and the only daughter) to Hildore and Evan Nelson. She married Leo Frank Hager in 1956 in Altona, Illinois. He died of ALS in 1995.
Jean is survived by one brother, Curt Nelson of Hoover, Alabama (formerly of Rio). Also surviving are four daughters: Mrs. Robin (John) Juhler of Bloomington, Mrs. Linda (Terry) Frye of Pekin, Mrs. Kitty (William) Wooderchak of Auburn, and Mrs. Mary (Alexander) McGregor of Toluca Lake, California. Jean is also survived by three grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Jean spent her final years under the caring hands and assistance of Lisa Hatfield of Bloomington.
She is preceded in death by her husband, two brothers: Vaughn Nelson and Robert Nelson and one grandson, Andrew Cheline.
Jean was a registered nurse, graduating from the Augustana College Nurses Training program in 1944. She worked as a nurse for 42 years, fist at the Veteran’s Administration in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, then at Cottage Hospital in Galesburg and then culminating her career at Research Hospital as the supervisor of the adolescent area when the hospital closed in 1986.
Leo and Jean left Altona in 1986, retiring in Yuma, Arizona. Leo died there in 1995 and Jean continued to live there until 2005, but traveling many months of the years to Bloomington, Illinois and Toluca Lake, California to live with family. In 2005 she returned to Illinois permanently.
She was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church of Altona. “Jeanie-Beanie’s” vigor for life was embraced by all and will be remember by those who adventured with her.
Funeral services will be held at 1:30 P.M. on Tuesday, May 5, 2015, at the Hurd-Hendricks Funeral Homes in Oneida, Illinois, with visitation prior, starting at 12:00 P.M. Interment will be in the Walnut Grove Cemetery in Altona, Illinois. Memorials may be made to the ALS Association or ASRN (American Society of Registered Nurses). On-line condolences and sympathy cards may be sent through www.hurd-hendricksfuneralhomes.com
