Imogene Fagan

FAGAN, IMOGENE "IMO" FAGAN December, 13, 1915 - July 17, 2005. Imogene Laura Oberding Fagan, 89, of Oak Harbor, Wash., formerly of Portland, moved to heaven from her home on July 17, 2005. Funeral services will be held at the Portland Memorial Funeral Home Chapel with recitation of the rosary at 1:15 and service at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 24. Entombment immediately following. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 23 and from 9 a.m. to 12:15 on Sunday, July 24. Imogene was born Dec. 13, 1915, in Nucla, Colo. to William and Laura Oberding, and lived most of her life from birth to 1962 in Nucla. She did a stint as a "Rosie the Riveter" in World War II in the Portland Shipyards. When a landing craft was welded perfectly, with no leaks, it was named after the welder. Hence, #939 The Imogene Fagan. She married Leo Francis Fagan in 1938. They owned and operated several businesses in Nucla and Norwood, Colo. She served on the Nucla Town Council and a number of terms as Nucla's Mayor. She also served on the school board and served as its president when needed. Since leaving Nucla in 1962, Imogene worked in Denver at the University of Colorado, in Honolulu at the University of Hawaii, in Portland at Lewis and Clark College and the University of Portland from 1972 until retirement in 1995 at age 80. Since retiring she has lived mostly in Las Vegas, Nev., and Oak Harbor, Wash., with her daughters. She was a member of Queen of Peace Catholic Church. She is survived by two sons, Donald of Carson City, Nev., John and his wife, Eileen, of The Dalles; three daughters, Rosemary Smead and Margaret Fagan of Las Vegas, Nev., and Billie and her husband, Jim Koogler, of Oak Harbor, Wash., and her brother, Wayne J. Oberding and his wife, Lucille, of Oregon City. Imogene has 13 grandchildren and 12 great- grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Leo; sister, Elanora Lucas; brothers, William Oberding and Marion Frank Oberding. Her life is characterized by giving of herself whenever someone was in need. Her deep and profound faith in Jesus Christ, her love for others, especially her children, were marks of all that she did. She touched many lives and is already deeply missed. The family suggest memorials may be made to The Macdonald Center, 605 NW Couch St., Portland, OR 97209 or Funds of Home Health Care, 101 N. Main St. Coupeville, WA 98239.