Ruth Catherine Hagan

Ruth Catherine (Carolan) Hagan, of Monroe City, went peacefully to the Lord on January 28, 2026. Born October 21, 1945 in Mendon, IL, Ruth was the daughter of John Marion "Hap" Carolan and Catherine (Heisler) Carolan, one of eight children. She was married to Lambert Joseph "Joe" Hagan in 1977.

Raised in the country on the Carolan family farm, Ruth developed her strong work ethic at a young age, detasseling corn before school and riding her horse, Roxy, afterwards. After graduating from Unity High School in Mendon in 1963, she attended St. John's Hospital School of Nursing in Springfield, IL, attaining her degree in 1966 with the same drive and determination that would characterize her subsequent 40-year career as a registered nurse.

Ruth and Joe welcomed their son, Kevin Matthew in 1977, and daughter, Mary Catherine, in 1984.

After her retirement from nursing, Ruth was rarely idle. In addition to baking her famous and much-requested carrot cake for loved ones each year, she took numerous vacations to her place in Quartzsite, Arizona with brother Jim. In summer, it was not uncommon to find her enjoying a well-earned refreshment on the back deck after a full day mowing the family property in the blazing Missouri sun. She also enjoyed riding around the gravel roads of Marion County with husband Joe in their VW convertible and taking golf cart rides around the family property and boat rides around Mark Twain Lake.

Despite her playful yet persistent reminders that she was an Illinois girl, Ruth loved Missouri sports, especially Cardinals baseball, Mizzou football, and for a time, the St. Louis Rams of the Kurt Warner era. Also an avid reader, Ruth devoured almost every mystery novel stocked by the Monroe City Public Library over the years.

Ruth is survived by her husband of 49 years, Joe, brother James "Jim" Carolan, sister Rita (Phil Hagan) Carolan, daughter Mary Catherine (Barry) Moffat, stepson Greg (Janet) Hagan, stepdaughter Christy Hagan, grandchildren Catherine, Charlotte and David and stepgrandchildren, Heather, Melissa, Brandon, Ashley, Amber, Teresa, Lindsey, Dawn and Jennifer. She was preceded in death by her beloved son Kevin Matthew, stepson Kyle Hagan, and brothers Charles Gene, Kenneth "Kenny", Phillip Edwin, John "Jack" and Gerald "Jerry" Carolan.

The family thanks everyone who helped Ruth in her final years and kept her in their prayers.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 am Saturday, January 31,2026 at the St. Stephen's Church, Indian Creek, Missouri Fr. Kristopher Hoffman will officiate. Burial will follow at the St. Stephen's Catholic Cemetery, Indian Creek. Visitation will be held from 10:00 am until time of services at the church. Pallbearers will be Barry Moffat, Greg Hagan, Brandon Hagan, Chris Fessler, Jamie Allen and Dustin Carolan. Memorials have been suggested to the St. Stephen's Catholic Church. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Garner Funeral Home & Chapel, Monroe City, Missouri. Online condolences can be made at garnerfuneralchapel.com.