A memorial service for Gary Wayne Hagen of Crystal, Minnesota, will be held at St. Bartholomew of Wayzata, 630 Wayzata Boulevard East, Wayzata, Minnesota at 11 am on Saturday, June 10, 2017. Father Mike Van Sloun will officiate. Visitation with Gary’s family will begin at 10 am immediately prior to the memorial mass. Gary has donated his body to the University of Minnesota for scientific research.
Gary died on June 5, 2017, at his home after a brave struggle with cancer. He was 61 years old. During his final days, he was surrounded by numerous friends and family and supported by his loving partner, Dwight Ettel.
Gary was born in Owatonna, Minnesota on October 29, 1955. He was the son of Harold and Marlene Hagen of New Richland, Minnesota. He grew up on his family’s farm and was a country boy at heart. He loved John Deere tractors, country music, dancing, family, and most of all, visiting with people.
He graduated from New Richland-Hartland High School in 1974 and obtained a Business Degree from Mankato State University. He helped on the family farm, ran a business called Hagen Bin Construction and moved to Florida for a number of years where he worked for Scottie’s. When he moved back to Minnesota, he worked in various capacities in the field of information technology.
Gary and Dwight enjoyed traveling together, particularly in the national parks in the southwestern United States. Gary was very active in his church where he volunteered to help with numerous projects and actively participated in Bible Study. He was frequently generous with his time and talents in helping others in any way he could.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents and sister Julie. He is survived by his partner, Dwight Ettel, brother Dean Hagen of Rochester, Minnesota, sister JoAnn Maloney (Ed) of New Richland, Minnesota, and his nieces and nephews.
He will by greatly missed by his church community, friends and family. We are all blessed by his memory.