Raymond J. Hagen

Raymond J. Hagen, 94, of Forest City, passed away Thursday, January 31, 2019, surrounded by family, at Mercy Medical Center – North Iowa in Mason City.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 A.M., Wednesday, February 6, 2019 at First Baptist Church in Forest City with Rev. Eric Weaver officiating. Burial will be at Madison Township Cemetery with military rites by the Garner Veterans Ceremonial Unit.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 P.M., Tuesday at First Baptist Church in Forest City and will resume one hour prior to services at the church on Wednesday.

Raymond J. Hagen, the son of Martin and Ida (Smeby) Hagen, was born September 3, 1924 in Worth County, Iowa. He served his country during WW II in the U.S. Army and was stationed in the Philippine Islands and at the war’s end, in Japan. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Staff Sergeant. He began farming in 1948 and continued until his retirement in 2002. On November 12, 1950 he married Lavonne Jensen in Lake Mills. They resided on farms in Worth and Hancock counties until moving into Forest City in 2005. They were blessed with two sons, Ronald and Terry, and daughter, Melissa. Ray had a close relationship with his sons and enjoyed discussing John Deere tractors with them. He had a special father-daughter relationship with Melissa. His family was his treasure and he loved to spend time with them. Ray was a friend to all and was content with less than the best. His sense of humor, integrity, courtesy, patience, honesty and hard work ethic describe him.

He attended First Baptist Church in Forest City, was a church usher for many years, served as a Hancock County Township Trustee and was on the Miller Telephone Board. He also was a member of the VFW.

Ray is survived by his wife, Lavonne, of Forest City; son, Ron (Becky) Hagen of Forest City; daughter, Melissa (Greg) Phillips of Kiester, MN; daughter-in-law, Dawn Hagen of Garner; 10 grandchildren, Justin Hagen, Jeremiah Hagen, Brian (Jamie) Hagen, Allison Hagen, Tyler (Hannah) Knudtson, Victoria Knudtson, Zachary Knudtson, Lydia Knudtson, Brynn (Matt) Daniels and Cole (Ashley) Phillips; two great grandchildren, Rownan Daniels and Palmer Hagen; three sisters-in-law, Donna Hagen of Northwood, Clarice Hagen of Northwood and Gloria Hagen of Mason City; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Terry in 2009; and four brothers, Eldon, Irvin, Marlin and Harold Hagen.