Robert A. Hagen

Robert A. “Bob” Hagen, 93, died peacefully in his sleep, at home in Vadnais Heights, MN, on April 6, 2021. He spent his final days surrounded by his family and under the loving care of his wife of 70 years, Lola, who survives him. Born to Henry and Anna (Bergsrud) Hagen in Northwood, ND, Bob graduated from Northwood High School in 1945. He continued his education at the University of North Dakota, from which he earned a B.A. degree. Bob met Lola McQuain in Denver and they were married six weeks later, on New Year’s Eve 1950. By that time, Bob had enlisted in the U.S. Army and was about to be shipped out to West Germany, for a stint with the Allied occupying forces following WW2. He received his Honorable Discharge in 1952. Bob’s early professional life was spent in accounting and business management – including jobs with International Harvester and IBM – ultimately returning to Northwood to help run the family grocery business. But Bob’s calling in life was to be a teacher; and teach he did, including Sunday school, high school (Watertown, SD), and vocational school (Moorhead, MN). His teaching continued to the end of his days on earth, as he taught by example that death is not to be feared because of the promise of eternal life we have been given.Above all, Bob was a devoted husband and family man. A humble, kind, and gentle soul, he had an easy laugh and would nearly melt at a smile or coo from a baby. He and Lola shared a strong Christian faith and a love of music, and Bob served two Lutheran congregations as a church organist while Lola accompanied the church choirs on piano. Bob and Lola also enjoyed home remodeling projects—they loved touring open houses and were “upcycling” and “repurposing” years before doing so became popular. Throughout their marriage, Bob and Lola were almost inseparable, and retirement brought more time for kids and grandkids, travel, couple’s golf in Arizona, Friday breakfasts with snowbird friends, and active membership in their Sun City, AZ church until their return to Minnesota in 2019. Preceded in death by his parents and his brother, H. Lawrence Hagen. Bob is survived by his wife, Lola; daughter, Lori (Mark) Fleck of New Salem, ND; son, Rodger (Regina) Hagen of Shoreview, MN; six grandchildren, Ryan Fleck, Katie (Joe) Trottier, Max Jytyla, Adrianna Jytyla, Raija Jytyla, and Robby Hagen; and 3 great-grandchildren, Audrey Fleck, Brooks Fleck, and Mathias Trottier.Family funeral and interment service will be on April 20, 2021, at theFort Snelling National Cemetery, in Minneapolis, MN. The family requests that any memorials be directed to the donor’s preferred charity.