Ann (Chizek) Bagby, 74, of Clear Lake, Iowa, passed away Thursday, April 2, 2026, at Oakwood Care Center in Clear Lake. According to her wishes her body has been cremated.
A celebration of life visitation with family and friends will be held from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00p.m. on Monday, May 18, 2026 at the Clear Lake Public Library, 200 North 4th Street, Clear Lake, Iowa 50428. Ann will be laid to rest beside her husband, Raleigh Bagby, at Clear Lake Cemetery.
Those wishing to express a memorial in Ann’s memory may direct it to the Clear Lake Historical Society.
Ann was born March 30, 1952, in Mason City, Iowa, the daughter of Robert John and Elizabeth Ann (Branson) Chizek. She graduated from Clear Lake High School in 1970, continued her education at North Iowa Area Community College, graduating in 1972, and later earned her degree in English from Buena Vista University.
On August 3, 1974, Ann was united in marriage to Raleigh Bagby at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Clear Lake. The couple made their home in Burlington, Iowa, where Ann taught English at Apollo Central Middle School and Raleigh taught in the Catholic school system. In 1978, they returned to Clear Lake, where Ann continued her passion for education, and later provided in-home daycare. In 1987 she began creating and selling crafts until the time she entered Assisted Living.
Ann was deeply involved in her community. She served on various library boards, was an active member of the Friends of the Library, and contributed to the Clear Lake Historical Society. She was a volunteer in the children’s room at the library and organized the annual book sale for many years. Ann’s true passions were reading, crafting and genealogy research.
Ann is survived by two sisters-in-law; Lawain (Nick) Miller of Eddyville, IL and Lorrie (Ed) Durbin, of Decatur, IL; one brother-in-law Derek Bagby of Petersburg, IL, three nieces Melissa (Jared) Staples, Trisha Bagby and Lauren Bagby; three nephews Nick (Melissa) Miller, Marc (Jennifer) Miller and Jeff (Tamara) Durbin; great nieces, great nephews, and one great-great nephew.
Ann was preceded in death by her husband, Raleigh Bagby; her parents; her cherished cousin, Diane Quigley; and her nephew, Jim Miller.
Ward Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 310 First Ave North, Clear Lake, Iowa 50428 641-357-2193