Eldon Olvin HAGEN

HAGEN, SMEBY, BARZ, HOWE, CLEMENT, HEJLIK, MCCUTCHEON, PRONK

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 1/22/2012 at 12:49:33

March 2, 1923 --- November 19, 2011

Eldon Olvin Hagen, 88, of Klemme, died on Saturday, November 19, 2011, at the Lutheran Retirement Home in Northwood. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Wednesday. November 23, at the Immanuel Reformed United Church of Christ in Klemme, with the Reverend Donna Buckman officiating. Full military honors will be provided at the interment in the Ell Township Cemetery in Klemme. Visitation will be held from 4-7:00 p.m., on Tuesday, November 22, at the Andrews Funeral Home, Klemme. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the services at the church. The Andrews Funeral Home of Klemme, is in charge of the arrangements.

Eldon Olvin Hagen, was born on March 2, 1923 in Hanlontown, to Martin and Ida (Smeby) Hagen. Eldon learned at a young age the value of hard work on the farm. He could only complete the eighth grade as he was then needed to work on the family farm due to the illness of his father. He continued to work on the family farm for several years. On January 6, 1946, he was united in marriage to Avis Barz at the Immanuel Reformed Church in Klemme. That same year, he enlisted in the United States Navy during World War II and served as a motion picture operator in China. After his discharge from the Navy, Eldon and Avis farmed for one year at Hanlontown and then moved to Klemme where they continued to farm. In 1973, Eldon's son, Bob, joined the farming operation and they farmed together until Eldon's retirement. Avis and Eldon's marriage of 65 years was blessed by four children, Bob, Nancy, Mary Lou and Cherie Sue.

Eldon's farming was not just a career but a way of life. He would sow the fields and reap the benefits. Being a lifelong farmer, Eldon knew the definition of hard work and determination. Growing up through the hard times of life, Eldon made due of everything given to him and appreciated the small things. Eldon and Avis made the best of what they had, together raising the family and tending to the farm. Farming was not Eldon's only passion, he also enjoyed buying and trading cars. Eldon was known to go on long road trips with friends and the family never knew what car may appear in the garage as a result of these trips. Eldon enjoyed big band and polka music. Eldon loved to dance and at the Surf Ballroom with Avis where they had originally met. Eldon's strong Norwegian side even came out occasionally with his Ole and Lena jokes along with his love of lefse and lutefisk.

Eldon's memories and love will be left in the hearts of his wife, Avis; his children, Bob Hagen of Klemme, Nancy Howe of Apple Valley, Minnesota, Mary Clement of Garner and her fiancé, Bob Hejlik; siblings, Raymond (Lavonne) Hagen of Forest City, Irvin (Gloria) Hagen of Manly, Marlin (Donna) Hagen of Northwood; sisters-in-law, Clarice Hagen of Northwood, Ihla Barz of Garner and Gladys Barz of Waterloo; grandchildren, Matt Hagen, Jenna Hagen, Michael Howe, Jessica (Garis) McCutcheon, Nicole Clement, Katie (Matt) Pronk and Alex Clement; along with numerous nieces and nephews. Eldon was preceded in death by his parents, Martin and Ida Hagen; daughter, Cherie Sue; brother, Harold Hagen; brothers-in-law, Raymond Barz, Evert Barz and Allen Barz; sister-in-law, Viola Barz; nephews, Terry Hagen and Dan Barz; and former daughter-in-law, Jody Hagen.

November 23, 2011
The Garner Leader - Garner, Iowa