Helen Hagge

Helen Hagge, 95, formerly of Ogden, died Monday, June 24, 2013, at the Madrid Home.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m., Thursday, June 27, 2013, at Zion Lutheran Church in Ogden. Pastor Wade Brandt will officiate. Burial will be at Glenwood Cemetery Mausoleum in Ogden. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the church.

Helen led her life as a beloved daughter, sister, cousin, wife, sister-in-law, aunt, Godmother, and a dear friend to many. Helen was born on September 23, 1917 at her parent's farm in Maxwell, Iowa. Her parents were Charles Drake Swalwell and Mary Eva (Gardner) Swalwell. Helen was the second born child of ten children.

Helen loved growing up on a farm and helping with the domestic chores like caring for her younger siblings, cooking, canning, and sewing clothes for her siblings and dresses for her mother. Her sewing skills turned into a lifelong love of quilting. Helen was a master quilter creating works of art through the years. She also loved flowers and tended many gorgeous flower gardens.

Helen graduated from Maxwell High School in 1935. She then went on to be employed at a locker plant in Maxwell, Donnelys in Nevada, an ordinance plant in Ankeny, and Younkers French Room in Des Moines.

Helen was united in marriage to Carl Hagge on December 22, 1946, in Des Moines, Iowa at St. John's Lutheran Church. The couple farmed outside of Ogden, Iowa until retirement when they moved into town to be near friends and Zion Lutheran Church. Helen and Carl did not have children of their own but they were a wonderful aunt, uncle, and Godparent to their many nieces and nephews. They gave generously throughout their married life to numerous children's charities. For many years, as faithful members of Zion Lutheran Church, Helen was active in LWML, Ladies Aid, Mission Quilting Group, and Cradle Roll Secretary for 25 years.

Those who preceded Helen in death were her parents, Charles and Mary Eva Swalwell; her husband, Carl Hagge; and all nine of her siblings, Harriett Goode (Rhodes, IA), Esther Brown (Maxwell, IA), Dudley Swalwell (Maxwell, IA), Ralph Swalwell (Maxwell, IA), Doris Dockery (Hoyt Lakes, MN), Alice Meyer (Newton, IA), Gene Swalwell (Maxwell,IA), Everett Swalwell (Des Moines, IA) and Max Swalwell (Maxwell, IA).

Helen's survivors include cousins, 32 nieces and nephews, as well as great and great/great nieces and nephews. Helen's history and legacy are the numerous gifts of generosity and love that she graciously bestowed on so many friends and family.