from Arvin's loving children - Allan, Cindy & Brent Hagen (website administrators)
Tributes
Leave a tributeMom showed me the 23 Apr 15 report of the CT scan that was done on Dad. The final paragraph was:
IMPRESSION: Vascular calcifications are noted. There are degenerative changes involving the lumbar spine with compression of L2 and also L1. There is a probable cyst within the liver and both kidneys.
There is more to the report with terminology that is not familiar to me.
CINDY (April 29, 2015)
I "cried on Alden's shoulder" yesterday [Arvin's brother, on a long-distance telephone call from Fargo to Williston, ND], because I was so sad. I've been in Fargo for almost two weeks and have gotten emotionally worn out. This transition has been very difficult for Dad, so it's been hard for me, too. After a good night's sleep, I'm leaving Audra's house, stopping at Dad's, then will be on my way back to St Paul...One thing I've discovered is that Dad believes life-size baby dolls are real and bring out his most tender, caring side. He talked to, sang, and cradled it.
KAREN (April 30, 2015)
We are coming through on the 15th and back through the 16th when
we come down for Matt's graduation from law school. We won't be able to stay long either time, but really look forward to seeing Arvin again. He was SO good on his birthday and I am having trouble imagining that he has failed so much in 3 weeks. It is scary to me, but hopefully he can get adjusted and do better again. Love you, Aunt Karen
CINDY (May 3, 2015)
To be honest, Dad may not last that long. Allan called me tonight and I'm heading back to Fargo tomorrow. Dad's quit eating and drinking. It's possible that things may turn around, but it's probably unlikely. Being dependent on others just isn't how he wants to live. Sorry I don't have better news.
KAREN (May 6, 2015)
Your mom called Monday evening, so guess I am not expecting positive changes. I would love that more than anything, but know that that is not my choice. We return on Saturday and hopefully I can come on Sunday to just sit and talk to him if he is still with us. Love him so much! Love you, too. Thanks for keeping us updated. Your mom didn't say he had quit eating and drinking, but did indicate it probably wouldn't be long.
Take care, Paulet
May 13, 2015
Sent: Friday, May 15, 2015 9:27 AM
To: MN Thief River Falls Evergreen Implement Co.
Subject:
Allan, I was in TX this week and Mark DeMay mentioned that your father passed away. I am sorry to hear the news and hope you and your family are doing well. I did not know your father but Mark and Don Aslesen spoke highly of him.
Nick Lane
Territory Mgr
ND/MN
701-212-9825
Fax 309-749-4079
NOTE from Allan Hagen: Nick Lane is our local John Deere territory manager.
Sent: Saturday, May 09, 2015 2:48 PM
To: allan.h@evergreenimplement.com
Subject: Re: Arvin Hagen passing
Hi Allan,
I am very sorry to hear this news. My sincere condolences to you and your family. And yes, I will send this to the Minneapolis Retiree group today. Thank you for sharing this as Arvin has many friends in our group.
Take care.
Tim Claus
NOTE from Allan Hagen: Tim Claus forwarded this information to the John Deere Retiree e-mail network.
Excerpt from Alden (the kids call me A.J. and I like that better) Hagen's 2015 Christmas letter
NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY
Brother Arvin Hagen, the first Commander of the Eta Theta Chapter, entered Chapter Eternal on May 8, 2015. Brother Hagen was 80 and passed away peacefully at home in Fargo, N.D. Hagen spent his entire career with John Deere, where he retired in 1992 after 32 years of service. A note from Hagen’s obituary read, "Most importantly, Arvin actively lived the Sigma Nu Creed of Love, Honor, and Truth." Speaking about Brother Hagen, Greg Heller said, "Arvin was a guiding light and a beacon of what a true brother and what every Sigma Nu should strive for. Until his last days, Arvin remained active within our chapter. He truly knew what it meant to be a Sigma Nu."
Greg Frazier
Boulger Funeral Home guestbook
May 16, 2015 at 8:14 am
Arvin WAS a great man. He and Bev were the first of Chad's family members that I met and I LOVED them right away (maybe that was part of Chad's plan to win me over! ;) Arvin made me feel so welcome as Bev fixed some treats and he tried to find "the connection" between us...which he found quickly when I mentioned that I helped out the Snortlands...."Oh, MICKEY!" I remember him saying (Julie Snortland). He made me feel like I belonged and whatever I was currently working on was SO interesting (which I'm sure it wasn't, but he was so gracious). It was always a joy to see him and you're right, Rio, his laugh was AMAZING...and those hugs?! Like you were the most important person in the world. His passing is certainly a loss. I'm holding all the Hagens and Arvin's near-and-dears in my prayers....it's hard to say "goodbye" even when there has been time to prepare.
"Very cool creation by Karen's daughter-in-law!"
“It’s so fitting for Arvin…love it…My sympathies to Arvin's family…he was so sweet, and always gave me a bad time (he was just kidding) about all the boys, etc.”
“I remember Arvin! He was closer to our age, I think!"
"Wonderful, special, and very fitting."
“Arvin was a special, thoughtful man!!”
“Love the arrangement. Arvin would have approved.”
“I remember Arvin. Sorry to hear of his death.”
“Wish we could have been there to hug you all. I will always have warm and happy memories of Arvin. He was such a kind soul with a great sense of humor.”
“Just perfect for Arvin. He will certainly be missed in our family!”
“A perfect tribute to a wonderful man."
"It's perfect!"
Other friends and family (who shall remain anonymous because I haven't asked their permission to quote them) have made these comments on Facebook:
“always enjoyed talking with him”
"great at driving a conversation"
“very kind soul”
“gentle, caring man”
“loving cousin”
“still remember the day he came to our home to visit Dad after Mom passed away"
"wonderful guy”
“very nice man!!!”
“neighbors when I was very young; Allen and I played together a lot”
“gift of visiting with the elderly and ill”
“extra-special person”
“very special man!”
“will always remember his smile”
“touched so many people’s lives”
“really liked numbers – always counting and knowing exact mileage, etc.”
“knew everyone!”
“remembered my friends and asked about them often”
“always enjoyed hearing about my life”
"Today we said goodbye to a great man. Grandpa, we love you and will remember you always. Thank you to everyone who attended the funeral and/or prayer service. It was wonderful to see all the lives Grandpa touched."
This is the arrangement Stacy made as a tribute to our brother, Arvin, whose funeral is today. We love it!!!!! (see yellow bouquet with John Deere tractor in photo gallery, with the following note):
Dearest Brother,
We will always hold you, your laughter, your smile, the kindness in your eyes. A day will not go by when we do not think of you and thank our Lord for the gift you have been in our lives.
Our love always,
Alden, Charles & Karen
Heaven gained a beautiful soul very early this morning. I'm so glad I got to come down and see you this week and I know you'll enjoy paradise! To the kindest, most warm-hearted, caring man. Who always made sure you got your big hug and a kiss on the cheek. The one who had one of the loudest laughs I've ever heard just because it's a Hagen trait, and had so much love in his heart to give to everyone around him. Enjoy Heaven uncle Arvin! We'll all miss you so much down here but fly high and enjoy paradise. I love you!
RIP Uncle Arvin, we will all miss you very much! Thanks for the laughs and your very sweet sweet smile! Now I bet you have the most beautiful set of angel's wings to go along with it. :) We will never forget you and cards at the family reunion this year just won't be the same without you.
Arvin was an awesome and inspiring person. I had the honor of speaking with Arvin at Sigma Nu. His legacy will be remembered forever.
LTH
HO 408
Jed Kobernusz
Boulgers Funeral Home guestbook
May 12, 2015 at 12:05 pm
Sherwood (Woody) Olson
Boulger Funeral Home guestbook
May 11, 2015 at 8:38 pm
Arvin managed the Parts Department in Minneapolis when the Branch hired me in 1976. He was one of my first managers. I knew Arvin to be an exceedingly honest and fair man, a hard worker, and a compassionate person. He inspired you to work hard, work smart, enjoy life, and be gracious to others. A great leader by all counts.
It was a pleasure to work for him, to meet Bev, and to work with both Allan and Cindy. And I enjoyed receiving Arvin and Bev's Christmas newsletter each year so I could keep up with their growing family.
Arvin will be missed greatly. His legacy will live on as we all remember fondly how he touched each of our lives.
donald wahlgren
Boulger Funeral Home guestbook
May 11, 2015 at 7:59 am
Mikkel and Jason, Jacob, Logan, Isaac and Paige Conover
Boulger Funeral Home guestbook
May 10, 2015 at 11:44 pm
We are saddened to learn of the passing of Arvin. He was such a gentleman and a pleasure to know. It was difficult for you to go through the past few years, but we share your reassurance that he is with his Lord now and awaits us. We will keep you all in our thoughts and prayers in these coming days. God Bless! Long live the memory of Arvin Hagen.
E. John & Brenda Carlson
Boulger Funeral Home guestbook
May 10, 2015 at 5:38 am
Don Reierson
Boulger Funeral Home guestbook
May 9, 2015 at 6:38 am
He was a good man and friend--one in my John Deere family. I respected him and enjoyed the relationship I shared with him over many years.
I pray that the Lord will give you His peace and pour out an abundance of grace and mercy on you.
Leave a Tribute
Mom showed me the 23 Apr 15 report of the CT scan that was done on Dad. The final paragraph was:
IMPRESSION: Vascular calcifications are noted. There are degenerative changes involving the lumbar spine with compression of L2 and also L1. There is a probable cyst within the liver and both kidneys.
There is more to the report with terminology that is not familiar to me.
CINDY (April 29, 2015)
I "cried on Alden's shoulder" yesterday [Arvin's brother, on a long-distance telephone call from Fargo to Williston, ND], because I was so sad. I've been in Fargo for almost two weeks and have gotten emotionally worn out. This transition has been very difficult for Dad, so it's been hard for me, too. After a good night's sleep, I'm leaving Audra's house, stopping at Dad's, then will be on my way back to St Paul...One thing I've discovered is that Dad believes life-size baby dolls are real and bring out his most tender, caring side. He talked to, sang, and cradled it.
KAREN (April 30, 2015)
We are coming through on the 15th and back through the 16th when
we come down for Matt's graduation from law school. We won't be able to stay long either time, but really look forward to seeing Arvin again. He was SO good on his birthday and I am having trouble imagining that he has failed so much in 3 weeks. It is scary to me, but hopefully he can get adjusted and do better again. Love you, Aunt Karen
CINDY (May 3, 2015)
To be honest, Dad may not last that long. Allan called me tonight and I'm heading back to Fargo tomorrow. Dad's quit eating and drinking. It's possible that things may turn around, but it's probably unlikely. Being dependent on others just isn't how he wants to live. Sorry I don't have better news.
KAREN (May 6, 2015)
Your mom called Monday evening, so guess I am not expecting positive changes. I would love that more than anything, but know that that is not my choice. We return on Saturday and hopefully I can come on Sunday to just sit and talk to him if he is still with us. Love him so much! Love you, too. Thanks for keeping us updated. Your mom didn't say he had quit eating and drinking, but did indicate it probably wouldn't be long.
But he wasn't perfect...
This story was fleshed out a bit when I talked with his younger brother, Alden, last fall. I mentioned the story to him and he started laughing. He explained that my Dad had gotten an "F" and it saved his (Alden's) life! Of course, I wanted to know what he was talking about. His response? Alden had gotten a "D" at the same time. Since Dad's grade was worse and he was the older brother, Alden was in much less trouble than he expected.
I asked him which year it was. "Arvin's junior year in high school and I was a freshman." Alden added, "and did you notice who the class presidents were that year?" Yep, Arvin and Alden.
Moving out west...briefly
As told to Arvin by his mother, Hazel:
"When we were ready to move out west in early 1941, Adolph bought a swing out, pull-behind trailer home. You could swing up a wing and make a bed on each side of the trailer when you were parked. Then, when you were moving or driving along the road, it was folded down in again. That's where we slept and stayed that summer. It was parked in the trees at Ragnar Slaaen's. Arvin and Alden helped Dagmar pick eggs over the summer (except for those being hatched, as the mother hen ran them off). We left that fall, and went west with Iver Slaaen (another of Adolph's cousins) and his family.
Iver went west as he had asthma in North Dakota, and wanted to try a different climate. He wanted to look for work out there, too. He and Adolph had always gotten along well (Adolph was one day older). We decided to go at the same time for company!"
[They stopped first in Washington and Portland, Oregon, but left for a small town in California after Christmas because WWII had begun and Portland was too much of a target.]
"All of a sudden, we were at war with Japan...I don't remember exactly how Adolph heard about a job in Cotati, CA. It was early January 1942, the war had just gotten started, and trained, able-bodied people were in demand. He got a job running the garage for a fellow and his wife, Nels and Milly Hammer. Nels was Norwegian, too. They had the garage, gas station, and what we would call a convenience store today, with food, snacks, some groceries, etc."
Adolph managed the garage, did repairs, tune-ups, overhauls, etc. We rented one of the larger cabins - with kitchen, bedroom, living room, bath/utility room - in a court next to the filling station and garage complex. The living room had a couch that made into a bed and Arvin, Alden and Charles slept there. Arvin went into the first grade again at Cotati school, and Alden (age 4) and Charles (age 2) stayed at home with me in our cabin. The cabin had natural gas for heat and hot water. It also had the first shower we ever had, and Charles was scared of it and wouldn't use it. He was used to a tub.
Adolph got dirty and greasy coveralls from working on the cars, trucks and engines he repaired. One thing we'll always remember is one Sunday in January 1942. I was going to go over to Milly Hammer's to visit. Alden and Charles were going with me and Arvin was going to stay with his Dad. Adolph had gotten his coveralls very dirty and greasy. He took regular gas from work, washed out his coveralls, then brought them into the bath/utility room to wash them. We were all in the bath/utility room while he was running hot water into the machine to wash them out in soap and water.
The wet gas in the coveralls apparently vaporized quickly in the warm room, so when the pilot light ignited the hot water heater burner to make more hot water, the gas caused the room to explode into fire. I grabbed Alden and Charles and finally got out of the room into the back of the house. Adolph found his way out through the front door, and Arvin tried to climb up onto the toilet to a high, small window before he realized he couldn't get through it and made his way out the back, too.
In the meantime, Adolph broke loose from bystanders and went back into the cabin through the screen door to get Arvin out. About the same time, someone heard that Arvin was safe, so they pulled Adolph back out of the house.
I had long synthetic stockings on, and they apparently held the heat to my legs, as they melted right to my skin. Alden and Charles each had a blister or two. Arvin had hand and face burns, especially on his right hand [The back of Arvin's right hand was scarred throughout his life]. Adolph's arms were burned, and when he went through the screen door, it really ripped up the burnt skin on them. Adolph and I also had hand and facial burns, too, but my legs and Adolph's arms were the worst.
We were rushed to the Sonoma County Community Hospital in Santa Rosa, CA, only 8 - 10 miles north of Cotati. Alden and Charles were examined and released to Adolph's boss and his wife - Nels and Milly Hammer - as they said they would take care of them. Arvin, Adolph and I were all checked into the hospital for treatment. Arvin and Adolph were in for almost a week, and I was in for six weeks.* The deep burns caused one inch thick scabs on both my legs from my knees down to my ankles.
*according to the medical records, Adolph was in the hospital 16 days, Arvin was 22, and Hazel was there for 43 days.
We experienced several firsts living in the cabin. It was the first place we had lived with a shower, instead of a bathtub. It was our first experience with natural gas and with a gas hot water heater, so we didn't realize a pilot light and burner could ignite a fire when vapor was in the air. We were finally all released from the hospital and back together in Cotati. Charles didn't even know me when I got home!
...Arvin finished out the first grade. We had sold our trailer, so when the end of school came, we loaded up the car and headed home to our house in Boyceville, Wisconsin!"
NOTE: The photo is of the cabin that burned.
Arvin & Bev's 25th wedding anniversary
Verse written and performed by friends and relatives to celebrate:
HMMMMMM:
25 years ago an event took place which we now all gather here to
commemorate (JoAnn - to celebrate)
Let me see - 'twas 53
Arvin he saw Beverly
And he said, come and be my gal.
(Alden - about 50 Ford)
Came the fall - Arvin didn't stall
Al and Pete each got a call
Come and help me wed this gal.
(JoAnn - about mangling)
September 2 - they said I do
Who tied the knot?
Not a smally, Pastor Wally
Down the aisle they did trot.
(Myrna - the car)
Where'd they go - we don't know
But the car was pretty slow
Off they went, He and his gal.
Moving here, moving there
Franz's, 4th street everywhere
Episcople church in view.
(Lorraine - church)
Baby one, was a son
Allan born in Williston
Family numbers 3 - not two.
Jobs were found around the town
Worked hard - all year
Moved from Willy back to town and
Started career with John Deere.
Here's number 2 named Cindy Lou
Look what the long green line can do.
Family's four, will there be more?
(LeRoy S - reminisce)
Back to school Bev did go,
Because she knew she needed an education.
(Myrna - Ellis' line doesn't rhyme, but it's the only thing he came up with all night)
Off they roam, a college home
Will put more knowledge in their domes
Fargo's tin hut's cold as Nome.
A degree and baby 3
Brent raised the score
Moving north to Grand Forks
All this came in '64.
Moving tarry, success story
Rice Lake was the territory
Out of state he took his gal.
(Allan - reminisce)
'67 moved once more
Arvin got the Minot store,
And Bev went back to school at State.
(Cindy - )
Burnsville now, Holy Cow;
Bet that really caused a row,
Isn't all this moving great.
(Lorraine - water around new house)
(Brent - )
'78 Celebrate
Move to Moline
Bev quit her job - the school scene
Packed again - like a machine
Final verse, could be worse
After hearing us rehearse,
Bet they wish they've never met...