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Johannah "Jo" (Collins) Nagel
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MONROE - Johannah "Jo" (Collins) Nagel, age 94 of Monroe, WI, died at home at Aster Retirement Community on Thursday, June 30, 2016. She was born on May 6, 1922 near Roundup, MT. Jo was the daughter of Patrick and Mary Jane (McCanna) Collins. A long time resident of Monroe, she moved there with her husband Harold Nagel in 1986. Prior to making Monroe home, Jo and Harold farmed in Freeport, IL, Hampshire, IL and Cloverdale, IL. Harold and Jo were married at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Batavia, IL on May 20, 1944. They celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary a few months before Harold's death in 1999. Jo devoted her entire life to loving and caring for her family, friends and neighbors. She always had a smile on her face; a wise word to share and a delicious home baked cookie or two to offer anyone who stopped by. Whenever something needed to get done, Jo was there to help. For years, Jo devoted a myriad of volunteer hours to the Monroe Clinic Hospice, the Monroe Senior Center, the Green County Long-term Support Committee as a representative for Alzheimer's patients and countless activities at St. Victor's Catholic Church and School (now St. Clare of Assisi Parish.) In 2002, Jo received the Green County Quality of Life Award as recognition for the significant contributions she made improving lives in Green County. The following from her nominating letter sums up Jo's life: "Johannah is a very giving person-giving of her time, energy and spirit...Green County definitely is a better community because Jo lives here."

She is survived by her son Michael (Vickie) Nagel of German Valley, IL and daughters Patricia Gregory of Monroe and Rose (Mark) Larson of Maplewood, MN. Jo also leaves behind seven grandchildren including: Michael (Debby) Nagel of Las Vegas, NV, Chris (Lee) Black of Forreston, IL, Amy (Erick) Thompson of Cross Plains, WI, Amanda Flores of Wales, WI, Sarah Gregory of Madison, WI, Catherine (Jeff) Larson-Nath of Mendota Heights, MN and Elizabeth Larson living in Dakar, Senegal. Additionally, Jo's descendants include six great-grandchildren and nine great-great-grandchildren. Also surviving Jo are her siblings: Margaret Hoff of Bloomingdale, IL, Mary Agnes Holmberg of Elgin, IL, Sister Mary Amadea Collins, RSM of Chicago, IL and Patrick Collins of Wasco, IL, along with many nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her siblings: Thomas (Marguerite) Collins, James (Dorothy) Collins; and her in-laws: Chris Hoff, Lester Holmberg, and Julie Collins.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, July 5, 2016 at ST. VICTOR CATHOLIC CHURCH, St. Clare of Assisi Parish, 1760 14th Street, Monroe, WI, with Msgr Larry Bakke officiating. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery followed by a luncheon served at the church. Visitation will be from 11:00 am - 12:45 pm on Tuesday prior to the Mass at ST. VICTOR CATHOLIC CHURCH. The Ellestad Camacho Funeral Home, 500 N 8th Street, Mt. Horeb, WI, is serving the family. In lieu of flowers, Jo requested that charitable contributions be made to Apostolate to the Handicapped, The Monroe Clinic Hospice, and St. Clare of Assisi Parish. The family would like to thank the staff at Aster and Monroe Clinic Hospice for their wonderful care and loving support.