Janesville, WI - Helen J (Hauri) Sagen, age 93, passed away peacefully at home the morning of December 21st, 2022, surrounded by her loving family.

Helen was born in Monticello, WI, on April 4th, 1929, the fifth of seven children born to Swiss immigrants, Robert and Elise (Baumann) Hauri.

On May 1st, 1948, she married the love of her life, Merlin L Sagen, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Janesville. In 1963, they purchased their family farm in LaPrairie, fondly known as “Peaceful Acres”.

After volunteering as a switchboard operator at St. Coletta School and reading meters with her husband, Merlin. She retired and turned her focus to her true passions in life, her family and Peaceful Acres.

Anyone that knew Mom knew she was a farm girl through and through. She was proud, tough, hardworking and had a determination that was unmatched.

She loved to be outside, gardening, and growing flowers – lavender flowers being her favorite. Over the years, Peaceful Acres truly became her and Dad’s pride and joy. They were partners in love and in life – a team that built a beautiful life and family together. They found immense enjoyment in harvesting their multiple gardens, decorating for every season, and manicuring their impeccable lawn. Every change in season and holiday, Mom and Dad loved to load up the wheelbarrow and lawn mower cart with festive décor and spend the day decorating the lamp posts, fence, trees, and flower beds. They both believed that a good day was one where accomplishments had been made.

Peaceful Acres was the gathering place for our family and holds memories of many holidays, birthdays, and beautiful lawn/garden weddings. Mom shared her love through feeding those she held dear, often times using fresh produce from the family garden. A special memory is the delicious birthday cakes she would bake, adorning them with roses from the garden. Mom taught us to take pride in everything that we did and was always by our side to coach us along the way. She encouraged us to envision the end result, allowing that to guide and motivate us to accomplish both our small tasks and larger life goals. On our worst days, we could rely on her for a reassuring chat and a steadfast reminder that there are “Better Days Ahead” or “There are more fish in the sea”. On our

best days, she was the first to shout “To the Head of the Class!” and let us know how proud she was. She had a witty sense of humor and in her final days, her gentle nod and chuckle reminded us of that. Although Mom was a rock for so many in our family, she had an extra soft spot for her youngest daughter, Kimberly Sue and her grandchildren. She dedicated 46 years of her life caring for Kimberly Sue, who was affectionately known as our family’s movie star. Her love and fierce devotion to Kim taught us all acceptance, patience, and unconditional love.

Grandma was always ready with our favorite after school snacks and a warm blanket for an afternoon nap. She never turned down a request for our favorite meals and a batch of her infamous chocolate and peanut butter Ritz Cracker cookies. We will forever attempt to recreate her pot roast, perfect mashed potatoes, and oyster stew, although we all know it will never compare to hers. We could always count on her at the front door window waving as we headed down the driveway – and frantically blinking the lamppost lights if we snuck out empty handed.

She was predeceased by her loving husband Merlin and her daughter Kimberly Sue., 4 brothers and 1 sister.  

Although she left us all with tears on that cold December morning, she was undoubtedly greeted with a sweet kiss from Dad (as he always had) and a most spectacular party planned by Kimmer Sue (to celebrate her birthday, of course!).

Mom’s legacy will live on through her surviving family, children, SanDee (Steve 4/23/2023) Knipprath of Naples, FL, Cathie (Dick) Anderson of Phoenix, AZ, Mary-Lou Allington 02/19/2023 of Hastings, MN, David Sagen of Janesville, WI, Rick Sagen of Janesville, WI, JoDee Sagen of Naples, FL, Sheli “Cricket” (Matt) Carroll of Janesville, Wi; grandchildren, Christy (Cory) Campbell, Robin (Loren) Tomasi, Andrew (Carrie) Anderson, Stacey Smith(Corey), Tim(Kelly) Allington, Jenny (Adam) Meyers, Jeremy (Monique) Allington, Michael (Kim) Allington, Corianna Sagen, Lorien (Staci) Sagen, Samantha Sagen, Logan (Ali) Carroll, Lydia Carroll, Lenae Carroll; and 21 great-grandchildren.  And a brother Alfred (Jan) Hauri of Albany, Wi

In her final days, her children and grandchildren were able to care for and be the support for her as she had always been for them. As Mom had always envisioned, these moments were filled with love and laughter as we reminisced on special memories and strengthened our family bond at Peaceful Acres, the place she loved the absolute most.

A special thank you to those that cared for Mom/Grandma in her final days. Your time, care, and love is what made it possible to honor her wishes. We will be having a Celebration of Life on Saturday June 3rd, 2023 from 2pm-4pm at the family farm “Peaceful Acres.”

“Remembrance is the Sweetest thing that in a garden grows.”

Mom/Grandma, WE LOVE YOU MORE and will always leave the lamppost lights on for you!

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