Gazena Hagen

Gazena Hagen was born on June 25, 1916 to Henry and Geesien Everts Baas in Austinville, Iowa. She was baptized in Ackley, IA and confirmed at Lunder Lutheran Church. Gazena moved to Hollandale as a young girl and attended Hollandale Reformed Church. She also attended school in Hollandale. After completing school, Gazena came to Albert Lea and worked as a housekeeper for a doctor's family. Later she worked at a grocery store in Twin Lakes and took care of a child for a family there. Gazena also worked for Kansota Farms. On December 22, 1935, she was united in marriage to William Hagen at Trinity Lutheran Church. The couple lived with William's parents, farming for 13 years. Then they bought their own farm south of Twin Lakes and continued to farm for 17 years, until they retired from farming and moved to Albert Lea, where they lived for the next 9 years. The couple then returned to Twin Lakes. Following William's death in 1986, Gazena continued to live in Twin Lakes until coming to St. John's Lutheran Home in 2006. She liked all the people, both staff and residents, at St. John's. She was very appreciative of the care she received there. Through the years, she was an active member of Lunder Lutheran Church and the Naomi Circle there. She was also a member of the Twin Lakes Senior Citizens. Gazena enjoyed gardening, flowers, sewing quilts and was proud to have sewn a quilt every year since 1935 for missions. Gazena looked forward to visits from her family and especially enjoyed her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a loving, gracious lady who loved the Lord. Survivors include her children, Ronald Barbara Hagen of Bricelyn, Sandra Jack Smith of Scarville, IA, and David Carol Hagen of rural Glenville; grandchildren, Judy Siemasko, Lonny Karen Hagen, Jeffrey Hagen, Laurie Terry David, Sheryl Gordy Kuether, Dawn Hagen, Lisa Nicho Madrigal Carlsen, Amy Dave Stanek, Bill Sherry Hagen, Nicholas Smith and fiancé, Bina George, Kristina Jason Petterson, Melissa Mike Wandersee Hagen, and Jordan Hagen; 21 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Gwen Baas and Carol Baas; many nieces and nephews. Gazena was preceded in death by parents; husband, William; son, Duane; daughter, Sharon; great-grandson Brandon Hagen; nine brothers and sisters, Grace Arthur, Frances Kramer, Jakob Baas, Okko Baas, Annie Dykhoff, Jennie DeRaad, Okelena Hayes, Henry Baas, and Benjamin Baas.