Elizabeth Gertrude Hagedorn, daughter of Casper Gentrup and Margaret (Spenner) Gentrup, was born on May 21, 1928 at home on the family farm in Beemer.  Elizabeth was the fourth oldest of 11 children.  She attended country school District 28 and Guardian Angels schools.  Her teenage years were spent living with and helping her grandmother, Gertrude Spenner.  During this stay, Liz learned many valuable attributes that she carried through her lifetime. 

On September 23, 1947, Elizabeth married Ray Hagedorn at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Beemer.  Liz was fortunate to be a stay at home mother while her children were young.  Once her children were all in school, an opening came available at Guardian Angels cafeteria where she worked for 25 years.  She was head cook for ten years until her retirement in 1993.

Liz was a member of the West Point Fireman’s Auxiliary, Izaak Walton League, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Guild, and Christian Mothers.  Retirement found Liz catering for banquets and weddings.  She was an avid quilter having made numerous quilts, afghans, and sewing projects for St. Francis Hospital Auxiliary.  She also enjoyed helping Ray with woodworking projects.  You could find Liz taking tickets at the Cuming County Fair, a position she held for 25 years.   She was a faithful catholic, praying the rosary daily for each of her children and their families. 

Left to cherish her memories are her daughter Linda (Gary) Redel of Bennington; sons Dean (Donna) Hagedorn of Dodge and Lee (Judy) Hagedorn of Brighton, CO; sisters Margaret (Ray) Ruskamp of Dodge, Sr. Carmelyn Gentrup of Green Bay, WI and Bernadette (Larry) Theim of Omaha; brother Tom (Myra) Gentrup of Emerson; brother-in-law Joe Schlickbernd of Dodge; sister-in-law Marjorie Gentrup of Beemer; grandchildren Emily (Tim Hurt), Adam (Cori) Hagedorn, Justin and friend Serena Riecken, Mitchell, Sara, and Matthew Hagedorn; and great grandchildren Abbie and William Hagedorn.

Elizabeth is preceded in death by her parents; husband Ray Hagedorn; brothers Cletus, Ambrose, Andrew, and Casper Gentrup Jr.; sisters Veronica Vogel and Marie Schlickbernd; sister-in-law Josephine Gentrup and brother-in-law Wilbert Vogel.