Hagans - Ruth Allegra Porter Nielsen
1/5/2010
Ruth Allegra Porter Nielsen Hagans, 90, of South Haven died Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2010, at home.
She was born June 22, 1919, in South Haven to Alonzo and Nellie (Werner) Porter. Allegra, one of five children, had lived in South Haven all her life. She was known as a soloist in her younger years and played piano for her children's trio, quartet and quintet during her single-parent years. She worked in medical records and retired from South Haven Community Hospital. Allegra was a member of the First Methodist Church in South Haven.
Her first husband, Claude E. Nielsen, preceded her in death June 25, 1955. She married the Rev. John O. Hagans in 1965. He preceded her in death March 23, 1987. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Alonzo and Nelle Porter in 1957, her sister, Wilma Griffin, two brothers, Dwight Porter and Clyde Porter, and one granddaughter - Lisa Champlin.
She is survived by her sister, Alberta Yinger Brant (103 years old) of Des Moines, Iowa; five children, Mrs. Terril (Claudia) Steichen of Fairfax, Va., Mrs. J. Douglas (Aline Rae) Perry of Colorado Springs, Mrs. Norman (Dawn) Marks of Coldwater, Mich., Faye Wiacek of South Haven and Glen (Linda) Nielsen of Reston, Va. She is also survived by four stepchildren, Nancy Robbins, Margaret (Bill) Torp, the Rev. Gerald (Susan) Hagans and James (Melinda) Hagans, as well as 10 grandchildren; 10 stepgrandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and many step-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Saturday, Jan. 9 at 11 a.m. at the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home, South Haven, with the Rev. Harold F. Filbrandt officiating. Burial will take place in Lakeview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to South Haven Hospice at Home. Kindly share your thoughts and memories on the family's online guest book at www.FilbrandtFFH.com.
