Obituary of Betty Jean Coglan

Betty Jean Coglan, 86, formerly of North Liberty, died Sunday, July 13, 2014, at Mercy Hospice in Iowa City. A gathering to celebrate Betty's life will take place from 2 - 4 p.m., Friday, July 18, 2014, at Divots at the Brown Deer Golf Club. Family committal services will be held at Ridgewood Cemetery in North Liberty. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Betty's name can be made to Mercy Hospice or Hospice Compassus. Online condolences can be sent to her family at www.gayandciha.com. Betty Jean Stagg, daughter of Louis and Nellie (Parsons) Stagg, was born August 23, 1927. She grew up in West Liberty and married Dean Coglan in Iowa City on September 15, 1946. They spent most of their married life in rural North Liberty, and many winters in Florida where she especially enjoyed time at the beach, collecting shells and boating. Betty was also a talented artist and gardener; she played the piano and enjoyed music and dancing. In North Liberty, she was a partner with Dean on their farm, as well as with their insurance agency and their property rental businesses and always managed to tolerate his sense of humor and colorful anecdotes. Most of all, she put her family first; she loved time spent with her family and friends. Her family includes her children, Larry (Carol) Coglan of Lone Tree, Linda (Francis "X") Cretzmeyer of Iowa City and Laura Coglan of Blue River, WI; grandchildren, Daniel (Jillian) and Mark (Star) Coglan, Angie (Travis) Axeen, and Sarah and Matthew Cretzmeyer; great-grandchildren, Michael and Amanda Coglan and Annie, Sam and Lucy Axeen; brothers, Harold, Harley (Barb), Richard (Marilyn), Jim (Donna) Stagg and sisters, Marjorie (Filmore) Melick and Marty (Ray) Morrison. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dean in 2012, grandson, Brian and two brothers, Clarence and Everett. Betty's family would like to acknowledge the gracious and comforting care their mother and entire family has received from the staff at Mercy Hospice, Hospice Compassus and Legacy Gardens. Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City is caring for Betty's family and her services.