Alcester Union & Hudsonite Online


Lawrence S. Hagen Lawrence S. Hagen, 95, of Alcester, died Friday, March 14, 2008 at the Pioneer Memorial Nursing Home in Viborg. Funeral services were held March 19 at Lands Lutheran Church, rural Hudson, with burial in the church cemetery. Lawrence S. Hagen was the 5th born child to Carl and Nettie Asper Hagen on their Union County farm near Alcester, on Sept. 8, 1912. He attended Cole School and attended Augustana Normal in Canton. On July 4th, 1930 he married Opal A. Thormodsgard at her family farm in Alcester. Lawrence worked as a hired man for his Uncle Charles Asper until he was able to acquire a team of horses, which was a requirement to work on the construction of S.D. Highway 46. After one year of that, he began farming with his brother, Arlo, for two years after which he again worked for Aspers and went back to Hwy. 46. Lawrence and his brother-in-law, Palmer Thormodsgard, started farming at a farm by Moe Church, “The Rice Place” where many memories were made, a house fire, a drowning, among many other things. Carl gave Lawrence 2 cows to start his dairy herd and a new Farmall tractor was purchased by Palmer and Lawrence. Sleeping in corn cribs until a new house was built was a challenge with three small children, hired men and sometimes extra guests. One more move to another farm by Hudson was made and then on to the farm by Beresford which was purchased in 1951. Farming wasn’t easy so often Lawrence worked for his brother-in-law building grain elevators in Iowa, Minnesota and S.D. As he wasn’t afraid of heights he often did the high jobs and put in very long, hard days away from home doing what many men would not. After his retirement he spent many hours working in his yard and garden. He worked for the soil conservation office several years planting trees on many of the farms in Lincoln County. In 1978 Lawrence and Opal retired to Beresford. Lawrence did yardwork, odd jobs and enjoyed helping at his daughters’ farms whenever he could. He became active in the Beresford Senior Center and loved to play pool, cards and chicken foot dominoes. He regularly attended prayer breakfast at Emmanuel Church in Beresford. Among Lawrence’s many accomplishments he was very proud to have been a spelling champion in 1927, which earned him a train ride to Huron, a state champion baseball player with the 1927 Alcester champions, enjoyed skiing with the grandchildren and golfing when he had a chance. He served on the Pleasant Hill school board, held several offices in Lands church, was the lawn attendant for the Moe Parish park, church and cemetery which he took a lot of pride in for many years. Lawrence was well known for attending auction sales and usually brought home many treasures and a few useless items which entertained many people. Lawrence loved to travel and was very good at navigating even in large cities. Visiting his children allowed him to travel many places with friends and relatives usually accompanying him. A highlight of his life was a trip to Norway, which allowed him to visit his ancestor’s homes and cemeteries which started an obsession with going to cemeteries to learn more about his past. Photos and videotaping became another pastime for Lawrence and he organized over 300 video tapes in later years and enjoyed showing them. Music was a love of his, from Lawrence Welk to Southern gospel. The family memories are many but one is July 4th with family and friends to celebrate Lawrence and Opals anniversary for 60 years – never missed one get together! A very special granddaughter shared Lawrence’s birthday for 45 years – Melanie. Babies and grandchildren were the love of his life. Politics, religion and sales were great topics for conversation and controversy throughout the years. He gave everyone a legacy of cherished memories, a combination of laughter and tears throughout the 95 and 1/2 years of his life. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, son Wayne (Bud), daughter Virginia Hoben, 2 sons-in-law, Lloyd Knudson and Harry Hoben, a grandchild, a great grandchild, a step-great grandchild, 4 brothers, Arlo, Noble, Norman, and Olaf Palmer, and 3 sisters, Lillian Olson, Elsa Saugstad, and Opal Gullickson. His survivors include 3 children: Wava (Elmer) Homandberg, Alcester, Glenn (Vonda) Hagen, Sun City, AZ and LeAnn Knudson, Centerville; 17 grandchildren, 41 great grandchildren, 7 great, great grandchildren, 2 step-grandchildren and 4 step-great, grandchildren; 2 sisters: Mabel Larsen, Mankato, MN and Doris (Kenneth) Carlson, Alcester; his brother Carlyle (Bonnie) Hagen, Alcester; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

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