Jerene Vaagen

Jerene Vaagen

GARRISON-Jerene Vaagen, 15, Garrison, joined her Lord Savior Jesus Christ on Monday, Jan. 2, 2006, after a courageous battle with cancer. Services will be held on Friday at 2:00 pm at the Garrison High School gymnasium with Rev. Paul Nelson officiating. Burial will be at the Garrison Cemetery.

Visitation will be held on from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. today at Thompson Funeral Home, Garrison, and for one hour prior to services at the school.

Jerene was born "with wings." April 2, 1990, in Minot, to Jerry and Darla (Francis) Vaagen. She attended Kindergarten at Bell School in Minot, first through sixth grade in Sawyer, and was in the 10th grade at Garrison High School, where she was an honor student.

Jerene was an uncomplicated girl. Growing up she enjoyed riding bike, the golf cart and fishing (with purple spinners, which she recommended everyone to use.) Jerene also enjoyed swimming and shopping. She most recently became a shopaholic and even when she got tired-she could still wear the best of us out. Amazingly, Jerene loved Elvis starting at the young age of eight and hoped to one day visit Graceland. Her favorite color was green; maybe because she loved pickles so much.

Jerene spent some of her time making scaring movies, which she wrote, directed and starred in. She especially liked horror films, and was very interested in the paranormal. She loved reading books about ghost encounters, but hoped to never have one personally.

Jerene enjoyed doing crafts, reading and spending time with family. She liked being close to home, once stating, "Whoever invented home sure knew what they were doing." In her alone time she liked to sing, but was too bashful to let anyone listen. She also waited anxiously for thunderstorms and cherished each and every one that came her way.

One of Jerene's closest companions was her nephews, Cameron Ayestas. They were only three weeks apart in age and thought of each other more as fraternal twins. Growing up they were inseparable. Their love for each other was unconditional.

Recent highlights in Jerenes life were a shopping spree provided by the Make-A-Wish Foundation and getting braces. She wanted to have a great smile and was given this by a Bismarck orthodontist. She looked forward to having her own car and was saving money to buy one.

Jerene fought a good fight. Her strength will continue to amaze us all. Even in her final hours, she was stoic and graceful-never forgetting to say "Please" and "'Thank You"- even when talking became difficult. She had a hug for everyone until that too became too difficult. Because of these things, she will always be our hero.

Jerene is survived by her parents, Jerry and Darla, Garrison; brother, James (Angie) Vaagen, Fargo; sisters, Jennifer (Rick) Makelky, Bismarck, and Jolene Blowers, Minot; her grandparents, Ray and Evelyn Eskelson; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Robert and Patricia Francis, paternal grandfather, Severin Vaagen; and a nephew, Jordan Vaagen.