Obituary
Dorothy A. Sagen
Dorothy Ann (Sullivan) Sagen, 91, of La Crosse, WI passed away peacefully on February 5, 2021.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Onalaska, WI on Friday, June 4th. Visitation begins at 9:30 am; Mass at 10:30 am; followed by interment in Onalaska Cemetery at 11:30 am. A Celebration of Dorothy’s life will be held at The Gathering Place, 133 Mason St, Onalaska, WI after the interment. Masks and social distancing will be required. Masks and social distancing will be required.
Dorothy graduated from from Aquinas High School in 1947 and married Gerald (Jerry) Sagen in September 1948. Dorothy was a member of the Onalaska American Legion, serving as President of that organization in earlier years. She was an accomplished musician from an early age, playing a violin made by her grandfather. She retired early to care for her ailing husband, Jerry. After retirement, she bought an organ and took lessons to play it. She also had a twice weekly coffee date with several friends alternately at each of their homes. Dorothy volunteered in the Gift Shop at St. Francis Hospital for 16.5 years after her retirement. She also sang with the Variety Singers, a seniors’ group who sang for patients in the nursing homes, as well as in the funeral choir at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Onalaska, WI for several years. Dorothy was an excellent baker (her Apple Pie slices were her family’s favorite). Dorothy loved to travel and visited numerous foreign countries with her Aunt Marian Johnson after Jerry was gone.
Dorothy is survived by her four children, Susan DiClemente (Michael) of Kennesaw, GA; Jeffry Sagen (Fay); Gerald T Sagen (Kathy); and Randy Sagen, all of La Crosse, WI; her nine grandchildren – Scott Graham of Carrolton, TX; Daniel Graham of Marietta, GA; and Sarah (Brian) Wilson of Matthews, NC; Andrew (Gena) Sagen of Littleton, CO, AnnMarie (Kelly) Nindorf of W. Des Moines, IA, Eric & Emily Sagen of La Crosse, WI, Bryan (Angie) Sagen of Onalaska, WI, Brenda (Thomas) Reuter of Mindoro, WI and her 13 great grandchildren – Dylan Graham of The Colony, TX, Alyssa, Kylie & Cooper Wilson of Matthews, NC; Ezre & Keona Sagen of Littleton, CO; Silvyana & Beckett Nindorf of W. Des Moines, IA; Nicholas, Tyler & Mason Sagen of Onalaska, WI and Ayla & Grayson Reuter of Mindoro, WI. Dorothy is also survived by her brother, Daniel (Barbara) Sullivan of Onalaska, WI and numerous nieces and nephews.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, Gerald (Jerry) Sagen, her parents, Erwin & Rosina Sullivan and her in-laws, Oscar and Mathilde Sagen. She was also preceded in death by three of her brothers and two of her sister-in-laws: James and Dorothy Sullivan, Robert J Sullivan (Marlene), and William and Bonnie Sullivan and her brother-in-law, Oscar (Bud) Sagen and his wife, Joanne.
The family would like to extend special thanks to her youngest son, Randy, who was instrumental in her care the past several years.
Coulee Region Cremation Group is assisting the family.
My deepest sympathy to Randy and all the family. We have just gotten to know Dorothy in the last few years and such a kind caring person along with her son Randy. Your family was very blessed to have a lady,mother, grandmother, sister, cousin and friend as Dorothy. Always share her/your memories. Bonnie and John McCann
My sincerest condolense’s to the family, Aunt Dorothy will be missesd RIP your loving nephew Greg
Jeff and I were so sorry to have heard of your mom’s passing. Truly a kind and caring lady.
Our families have many great memories. Goose hunting in Horicon, pheasant hunting in Iowa, and many, many get togethers at our homes.
Randy-We are so proud of you for all of the loving care that you gave to your mom.
She will be in our hearts forever.
Love,
Jeff and Linda
Cousin Bud Von Haden has many fond memories of Dorothy Ann. Deepest sympathy from Bud and Dorothy and their family.
Sue, Jeff, Jerry T., and Randy – Paul and I were so sorry to hear of your mother’s passing. We have such fond memories of her and will always remember her cheerful greetings and ensuing conversations. My mother was Dorothy Sagen, I was Dorothy Sagen, and then when your dad married Dorothy Sullivan, we had a third Dorothy Sagen. We always chuckled about that. I will miss seeing her and Randy as they were out walking and socializing. Please know we are thinking of all of you at this difficult time. Love, Punky.
Just a add on note: Again sympathy to you all and also to Randy. Randy, a special note to say how wonderful it was for your mom to have you take care of her for 10 or so years. She was so blessed and we saw how you had her walk almost everyday, cooked, daily care and all. A wonderful thing to have a son do this. Your siblings must have such love/thankfulness for you, that you did all this for their/ your mother. May all those memories lighten your heavy hearts.
The staff at Onalaska Public library will miss our sweet visitor and her caring son. It was a joy for us to see her beautiful smile when she visited.
Sending caring thoughts.
Marianne Holinka My Sympathy to the family I sang with her in the Variety Singers May she Rest In Peace ?
Susan, your mother has been in my prayers the last few weeks. I know she is in God’s arms and pain free now. She was so fortunate to have you as her daughter. Blessing to you and your family
Sending much love to the family.
My deepest sympathy for your loss.
Jeff and your family,
I’m sorry to hear about your mom’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
My sympathy to the Sagen Family, especially to you Randy. I enjoyed seeing your beautiful Mom with you each year at Homecoming. I’m praying for your Mom and that her family finds peace and comfort in the difficult days ahead.
Thank you for your kind words in this difficult time. As you know, mom was always with me – like a shadow on sunlit day. She will be deeply missed.
Susan, Jeff, Jerry and Randy and families, love and prayers to you all. Aunt Dorothy was such a wonderful Lady. She will be missed.