Obituaries : Gilbert Henry Hagen

Gilbert Henry Hagen , 92, died peacefully on Saturday, July 23rd at the Keystone Care Center, Keystone Iowa.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM, Thursday, July 28, 2022, at Grace Lutheran Church in Blairstown with Rev. Jeffrey Schanbacher officiating.  Interment will be held at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Blairstown.  Visitation will be held from 4:00 until 7:00 PM, Wednesday, and also at the church in Blairstown. 

He was born November 20, 1929, near Conroy, Iowa.  He was one of 8 children born to Adolph and Nora Hagen (deceased). Gilbert married his beloved wife, Betty Stursa on February 1st, 1949.  Gilbert and Betty spent their lives farming and raising a family starting out in the Conroy and Williamsburg areas, then moving to Blairstown in 1956 where they stayed for 12 years, then moving to the Van Horne area where they stayed until moving to a new home in Blairstown in 1995.  Gilbert continued to farm after that with his son, Larry, who he had farmed with for almost 40 years, for about 8 years. Gilbert always said he was lucky to be able to make a living at something he loved to do.  He then retired and Betty and Gilbert enjoyed their time by going various places, such as Texas each winter where they enjoyed being with family and friends.  You very seldom saw one of them without the other and enjoyed over 73 years together.   Gilbert then went to live at the Keystone Care Center where Betty visited him every other day, and the day she wasn't there he always asked when she would be coming again.  Gilbert was a kind, generous, hardworking man who always said a little hard work never hurt anybody.  He loved to tell a good joke and had an orneriness that everyone loved.  He was devoted to his wife and kids, he would do anything for them and was always there when needed and had one of the biggest hearts ever. He was a devout Christian and was a member of Grace Lutheran Church for over 65 years, where he held various positions.  His last wishes were to go to heaven and that wish came true this last week.

Gilbert is survived by his wife Betty, Blairstown; his son Larry (Theresa) of Blairstown; his daughter Sue (Chuck) Junge of Grinnell; grandchildren:  Kristie (Rick) Schmuecher of Amana, Amy (Garin) Woodward of Amana, Melissa (Jason) Sauser of Lisbon, Angie (Rob) Lange of Williamsburg and Wes Junge of Grinnell; several great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-granddaughter;  Brothers, Robert Hagen; and Willard Hagen and his wife Sharon.

He was preceded in death by two sons, David and Jeff; Brother Earl Hagen, Brothers and wives, Merlin and Selma Hagen, Harlan and Marlene Hagen, Sisters and husbands, Norma and Elmer Von Ashsen, Ilene and Chris Henichen, sister-in-law Caryl Hagen and brother-in-law Francis Stursa.

We would like to thank Pastor Schanbacher for his visits, which Gilbert truly enjoyed.

Online condolences: www.phillipsfuneralhomes.com