Everett Jerome Hagen

Everett Jerome Hagen was born March 23,1926 to Ernest and Dorothea (Rise) Hagen in Preble Township, rural Mabel, MN. He spent his childhood in their country store at Tawney, He and his sisters had wonderful memories of the customers and many families that came to the store for supplies and also for their social life. On June 28, 1945 Everett married Donna Haakenson. Everett and Donna were blessed with three children; Gregory Everett, Kristeen Marie, and Laurie Ellen. They raised their family in rural Mabel. Donna passed away in 1969. Everett was an active member of Scheie Lutheran Church. Having been baptized and confirmed at the church, Everett later became a Trustee of Scheie and was a member of the Scheie Mens’ Octet. He served on the Mabel School Board for seven years and enjoyed being a 4-H leader and cooking for the Chat n’ Chew stand at the Preston Fair to raise funds for the 4-H club activities. On August 27, 1971 Everett married Doris (Dvergsten) Lanswerk. Everett and Doris settled in Spring Grove where they continued to raise their blended family, including Doris’ children, Carol, Craig. Nancy and Cindy. Everett quickly became an active member of the Spring Grove community serving on the City Council for four years and as mayor from 1982 to 1993. He was Syttende Mai Parade chairman for eight years and a member of the Pitchfork and Shovel group. In addition to being active in many service groups, Everett was an Area Sales Manager for Triple F Feeds where he began working in 1949. He owned a car wash in Spring Grove from 1973 to 1994 and helped many with Hagen’s VCR Repair business. Everett had many things of which to be proud; his work ethic, his community service and his dedication to his church. Perhaps one of his proudest accomplishments was overcoming his struggle with alcoholism. He was always willing to help anyone with chemical dependency issues and celebrated 42 years of sobriety this year. Family and friends were so very important to him. He celebrated each day doing his favorite things; dancing, playing cards (Whist and Rummy), shopping, enjoying Perkins pancakes, going to parades, spoiling his grandchildren with spice drops and jelly beans, his Buick, watching Twins’ games and eating ice cream every chance he got. Everett died Wednesday, October 7, 2015 at Stewartville Care Center at the age of 89. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Doris, two sons; Greg (Mary) Hagen of Winona, MN and Craig (Sharon) Lanswerk, Winona, MN, five daughters; Kristeen (Douglas) Thompson, Rochester, MN; Laurie (Todd) Jensen, Savage, MN; Carol (Wayne) Olson, Glenville, MN; Nancy Hylland, Stewartville, MN; and Cindy Lanswerk, Rochester, MN, 13 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren. Everett was preceded in death by Donna Hagen, his sisters Verna Erickson and Marge Engen and his son-in-law Ray Hylland.

Everett Jerome Hagen

March 23, 1926 - October 7, 2015