Laverne Hagen

Laverne Hagen, 88, of Ashby, passed away February 22, 2009, at the ELEAH Medical Center in Elbow Lake. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, April 18, at the United Lutheran Church in Elbow Lake with the Rev. Hans Anderson officiating. Family will greet friends at the church one hour before the service. Burial will be in the Hjerdal Cemetery. Laverne Gordon Hagen was born on August 25, 1920, at home in Pomme de Terre Township, Grant County, the son of Tosten and Tina (Brekke) Hagen. He grew up on the farm near Ashby and attended grade school at District 55. He later went on to school at the Morris Ag School. He worked on the family farm and, after the death of his father in 1950, he took over the State Farm Insurance business. He later became a representative for the Milbank Insurance Company and continued serving the people in the Ashby/Elbow Lake area until his retirement. Anyone who knew Laverne was aware of his deep concern and need to care for others. This also extended to his love of animals. Laverne was active in church activities and loved to play the piano, often entertaining family and friends. He enjoyed spending time with his family. Preceding him in death were his parents; three brothers, Amos (infant), Norlin (Stella), and Truman (Joan) Hagen; four sisters, Myrtle (Herb) Lysne, Blanche (Carl) Johnson, Judith (infant), and Lyla (Helmuth) Strehlo; and nephew Gary Strehlo and niece Karen Bailey. He is survived by his sister Aldora (Ollie) Hustad of Elkader, Iowa, and numerous neices and nephews and their families.

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