Gloria Catherine Hagen

Gloria Hagen, age 85, of Cottonwood and formerly of Hanley Falls and Marshall, Minnesota, died surrounded by her family on Thursday, December 3, 2020, at Prairie Home Fieldcrest in Cottonwood, Minnesota. Private Funeral Services will be held Monday, December 7, 2020, at Yellow Medicine Lutheran Church in Hanley Falls, Minnesota. Interment will follow in the Yellow Medicine East Cemetery. A walk-through visitation, open to the public, will be held from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m., on Monday, December 7, 2020, at the church. Memorials are preferred to Yellow Medicine East Cemetery Fund or a Dementia charity of choice. Occupancy limits and social distancing must be observed throughout all services. Masks are required at all public indoor gatherings.

Gloria Catherine Nielsen was born on March 18, 1935, in Marshall, Minnesota, to Niels and Lucille (Parks) Nielsen. She became a child of God through Holy Baptism and later confirmed her Christian faith at First English Lutheran Church in Marshall, Minnesota. Gloria was a 1953 graduate of Marshall High School. While in high school, she worked three years at the Schwan’s restaurant, prior to their home delivery service. The fall after graduation she attended the University of Minnesota where she majored in Home Economics.

In the spring of 1954, she met her future husband, Myron “Mike” Hagen, and a summer romance developed. Later that summer she became engaged and they were married on October 3, 1954, at the First English Lutheran Church. They moved onto a farm south of Hanley Falls where they lived until 2007. At that time, they moved into Boulder Estates in Marshall, Minnesota. As Gloria’s memory and self-care diminished, she moved into Prairie Home Fieldcrest Assisted Living in Cottonwood in January of 2018.

Gloria enjoyed needlepoint, reading, bowling, playing cards and games. She was very competitive in any of those activities. As her grandchildren were growing up, she attended their numerous activities. She also greatly enjoyed traveling and often spoke of her trips to Denmark and Norway. She always enjoyed shopping and finding that great bargain. Gloria was active in many church activities, which included Ladies Aid, Funeral Service Group, and Bible studies. Gloria was also active in Homemakers Club, Circle, Card Club, and the Red Hat Society. She was always very proud of her Scandinavian heritage and was an active participant of the Sons of Norway Elvidal 509 in Granite Falls, Minnesota.

For many years Gloria operated the Troll House Shop out of her home. Visitors would be welcomed by “Ingval” the troll. It was there she sold needlepoint kits and completed needle point items. She also sold many Scandinavian items along with Scandinavian jewelry, gift items, clothing, books, etc. She also attended numerous craft shows and Norwegian gatherings where she also sold these items.
Gloria loved her family dearly and held onto them closely.

Gloria will be dearly missed by her children, Michael (Donna) of Farmington, Cindy (Denny) Lundy of Cottonwood, Richard (Linda) of Hanley Falls, Douglas (Barb) of Hanley Falls, Nathan (Maria) of Brooklyn Park; grandchildren, Christina (Chad) Wermager of Waukee, Iowa, Justin Hagen of Minneapolis, Brianna (James) Gross of Hanley Falls, Ryan Naab of Onamia, Jesse (Andrea) Naab of Chanhassen, Travis (Chelsey) Naab of Minnetrista, Grant Hagen of Fargo, ND, Michelle (Travis) Johnson of Minot, ND, Andrew Hagen of Fargo, ND, Martin (Becky) Hagen of Carlos, Hannah Hagen of Hanley Falls, Ethan and Gabriella Hagen of Brooklyn Park; great-grandchildren, Stephen and Abigail Wermager of Waukee, IA, Jackson, Nora and Knox Naab of Chanhassen, Ryder and Merit Naab of Minnetrista, Covyn and Boone Johnson of Minot, ND, Florence Hagen of Carlos; other relatives and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Myron “Mike” Hagen; parents, Niels and Lucille Nielsen; sister, Patricia Nielson Gierke; and her brother, George Nielsen.

Her family would like to thank Prairie Home Hospice Fieldcrest Assisted Living for the care that they provided. Blessed be the memory of Gloria Hagen. Flowers are welcome, please designate any memorials to Yellow Medicine Lutheran Church – Cemetery Fund or General Fund. Also, the Alzheimer’s Association of Minnesota/North Dakota.