Grygla (trfnews.i234.me) — Norris Hagen, of rural Grygla, Minnesota, died on Dec. 12, 2025. He was 99. His family said he died peacefully at the family farm. He was under the care of HIA Hospice. Family members were with him.
Service details
A funeral service for Norris Hagen will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, Dec. 22, 2025.
The service will be at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls.
Reverend Jeffery Merseth will officiate, according to the family.
Visitation will be held one hour before the service at the funeral home.
Burial will be at Northwoods Cemetery near Grygla.
Life on the family farm
Norris Hagen was born May 6, 1926, on the same family farm near Grygla.
His family said he lived there his entire life.
He worked in agriculture for decades and farmed with his father.
Friends said he often helped neighbors with farm work.
That included cutting wood, hauling grain, and combining crops.
He also cared for dairy cattle for many years.
His family said he still drove a tractor into his 90s.
School, marriage, and faith
Hagen attended country school through the eighth grade.
He later studied for two years at the Northwest School of Agriculture in Crookston.
That school is now part of the University of Minnesota Crookston.
He married Hilda Satre on April 30, 1950, in Grygla, according to the family.
He was a lifelong member of St. Petri Lutheran Church in rural Grygla.
Hobbies and time with family
In later years, he enjoyed gardening and picking blueberries.
He also liked rolling lefse and cooking for others.
He enjoyed deer hunting well into his 80s, his family said.
He liked watching the Minnesota Twins and the Timberwolves with family.
He also enjoyed playing cards with friends and neighbors.
Survivors
He is survived by his children, Baylen (Jan) Hagen, Marlene Hagen, Mavis Hagen, and Rodney (Sherri) Hagen.
He is survived by grandchildren Cory (Jordan) Hagen, Geoffrey, Justyne, Dayle, Russell, Nolan, Matthew, Jill, and Linnae.
He is also survived by great-grandchildren Violet and Oliver Hagen.
Step-great-grandchildren include Kember, Keston, Kutler, Lyrick, Theryn, Lainey, and Edyn Jo.
Those who died before him
He was preceded in death by his wife, Hilda, who died in 2007.
He was also preceded in death by his parents, Arne and Kornelia Hagen.
He was preceded by siblings Oscar, Otto, Melvin, Inga Ulla, Clara Boe, Alma Svenpladsen, Miranda Skaaren, Benora Falk, and Lila Holthusen.
He was also preceded by nephews Milo Hagen and Paul Holthusen, the family said.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.