PERSERVERING — Although Harold ‘Hap’ Hagen has limited mobility these days, his attitude has remained positive and upbeat. (Star Eagle photo by Rachel Rietsema)
NR’s Hap Hagen lives up to his nickname
By RACHEL RIETSEMA
Staff Writer
Several times a week, a van with the license plate that reads HAP-E-1 cruises on over to New Richland Care Center.
Upon arrival, the driver heads on inside, excited to see the honoree of her license plate, aka her husband of 57 years, Harold Hagen.
“Harold’s lived in this area and community for many years,” said New Richland Care Center Activity Director Kathy Flor. “He’s been here approximately two years now. This is a good place for him because there is lots of activity and people around.”
This social butterfly thoroughly enjoys visits from his wife, Marlene. But what would make Hap Hagen even happier is his mobility restored.
“It’s hard to get those legs working again after the strokes,” Hagen said.
Flor added, “Harold hopes that someday he’ll be able to go back home. We’re happy to have him here with us though.”
In the meantime, he continues with physical therapy and always manages to put a smile on his face.
“I got the nickname Hap from my basketball coach when I was in high school,” Hagen said. “It started out as Happy and Happy One, and eventually went down to Hap.”
The only explanation for his nickname is simple: he was always happy. He still is.
“Have you heard the latest?” Hagen asked. “It’s not out yet. That’s my favorite joke around here. I’ve told it so many times.”
Seriously, though, he is thankful for the wonderful staff that cares for him every day. Getting older may be a bit tough at times, but the respect that comes along with it, he gladly accepts.
And when it comes to shelling out advice to the younger generation, the former farmer in him has a couple things to say.
“Stick with it,” Hagen said. “Land prices are high right now, but the economy will settle down and be more average than what we are in now.”
Although land prices are no longer a big concern of his, there’s still a part of him that misses those 440 acres.
“We rent the land out to members of our church,” Hagen said. “We have good renters and that makes it easy.”
One other thing he’s always had a hankering for is dancing. And it’s a good thing too, because that’s where he met his wife.
“It was at the Monterey Ballroom,” Hagen said. “There were about six girls sitting at this one table and they all liked to dance. I danced with different ones and then finally got to her. And that’s how it went.”
His good looks weren’t the only thing that caught Marlene’s eye though. The moment she saw his brand new Ford, she was a total goner.
“The car got old and I guess I did too,” Hagen joked.
But before getting too old, they raised a family of three, Gary, Dean and Joann.
“Gary is the oldest one, and he does computer work up in the cities,” said Hagen. “Dean has had some medical issues and is in Rochester in a home. Joann is an attorney and actually just moved down here just east of the golf course.”
Like it or not, his grandchildren also total three. Their names are Billy, Anita and Maggie.
“Joann and her husband, Eddy, went to Romania to adopt Billy and a couple years later, Anita,” Hagen said. “Marlene and I both went over for the adoption of Anita.”
He remembers traveling to Romania like it was just yesterday. He arrived via plane on Anita’s second birthday.
“After those two adoptions, Joann then went to this far off island with some of her coworkers,” Hagen said. “Joann was feeling so seasick, so her friends said, ‘You’re probably pregnant, ha ha.’ She got back home and found out she was three months pregnant with Maggie.”
Now with his daughter only a few miles away, he feels much more at ease.
“Life is about respecting one another and living a good life,” Hagen said.
