Joann Sagen

Stoughton- JoAnn Lien Collins Sagen, age 60, died peacefully on Friday, June 15, 2012 at the Agrace HospiceCare Center in Fitchburg, surrounded by her loving family and friends after a long struggle with melanoma. She was born in Stoughton on November 7, 1951, the daughter of Howard and Ingeborg (Bakken) Lien. JoAnn was confirmed at Our Savior's Lutheran Church and graduated from Stoughton High School with the class of 1970. In 1982, JoAnn married Bill Collins. Together they worked at their business in motorcycle parts and accessories and made trips to Sturgis. Bill's young daughter, Heather, lived with them much of the time. JoAnn married Charles Sagen in 1995. JoAnn worked at Skaalen Nursing Home, Highway Trailers, Tellurian and as a home health aide. A highlight of JoAnn's life was a trip to Norway with her dear Godmother, Alvhild Larson, where they visited many relatives. Family was very important to JoAnn. She was the life of the party and looked forward to a family gathering. She loved the music of Elvis Presley. Her passion was decorating. She was creative and artistic and would put new life into old objects to make them a thing of beauty. Her home was an ongoing work of art and never looked the same very long. JoAnn was blessed to have a best friend for 50 years, Linda Teigen Gullickson, with whom she shared everything. JoAnn is survived by her mother; sister, Helen (Mel) Cleveland; two brothers, Herman (Karen) Lien and Howard "Bob" (Debbie) Lien, all of Stoughton; step-daughter, Heather Mulcahy of Deerfield; two nephews, Bobby and Donnie Lien; precious nieces, Sarah and Hannah Lien, all of Stoughton; many cousins; her aunts, Alvhild Larson of Des Plaines, IL and Jennie Lien of Stoughton; and many relatives in Norway. She was preceded in death by her father; and both of her husbands, Bill Collins and Chuck Sagen. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, June 20, 2012 at Cress Funeral Home in Stoughton. Burial will follow in Cooksville Cemetery. Friends may greet the family from 10:00 AM until the time of services Wednesday.
JoAnn was the light of our lives and will be sadly missed by all who knew her.
HOME AT LAST
Author unknown
I am home in heaven, dear ones;
Oh so happy and so bright
There is perfect joy and beauty
In the everlasting light.
All the pain and grief is over,
every restless tossing passed;
I am now at peace forever,
Safely home in heaven at last...