Orville M. Hagen

Orville M. Hagen, 78, passed away on Thursday, April 2, 2026, at Gundersen Health in La Crosse, Wisconsin.
He was born on June 21, 1947, in Iowa, to Oscar and Martha (Frost) Hagen. In the eighth grade, his family
moved to Northfield, Wisconsin. Orville graduated from Whitehall High School in 1965 and, following
graduation, worked in Madison.
On February 11, 1967, he married Lynda Jarstad. The couple lived in Madison until Orville was drafted into the
United States Army in November 1967. He served for two years, including one year in Vietnam. After returning
home in 1969, they purchased their home in Hixton, Wisconsin, where they continue to reside.
Orville began working for Valley Oil Company in Hixton, where he dedicated 36 years of service. He later
worked for Federation/Allied Coop before retiring at the young age of 76.
He was a lifelong member of the Hanson-Lien American Legion Post 368, where he held various leadership
roles and participated in numerous parades and military funerals. Orville also served the Hixton Volunteer Fire
Department for several decades, including 23 years as Fire Chief. In addition, he was an active member of the
Northfield Lutheran Church and the Northfield Cemetery Association.
Orville spent countless hours attending his daughters’ and grandchildren’s sporting events and musical
performances, proudly wearing the hat of whichever team he was supporting. Though he often claimed not to
care for the family pets, they clearly thought otherwise—frequently sitting by his feet, sharing ice cream on his
lap, or even letting him vacuum them.
He was a devoted caretaker of family, friends, and neighbors. He could often be found checking in on others,
giving rides for coffee, or helping his daughters and extended family move into homes and apartments over the
years.
Orville is survived by his wife of 59 years, Lynda; daughters, Lisa Eddy (Corey) of Trempealeau and Erin
Paulson (Cliff) of Winona; grandchildren, Garrett and Owen Eddy, and Rosemary and Marley Paulson; siblings,
Elaine Schulze of Omaha, Nebraska, Marlene Olson of New Brighton, Minnesota, Orland (Pat) Hagen of
Hixton, Jewell (Julie) Hagen of Alma Center, and Roger (Trudy) Hagen of Hixton; siblings-in-law, Stewart
Skaar, Ilene Scholze, Bev Jarstad, Rosalie (Elwin) Walsted, and Nancy Jarstad; as well as many nieces,
nephews, and dear friends, neighbors, and coworkers.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Martha and Oscar Hagen; his in-laws, Myrtle and Arthur Jarstad; his
sisters, Delores Smotherman and Marcia Skaar; sister-in-law Ardella Hayes; and brothers-in-law Merle Schulze,
Russ Olson, Lucky Smotherman, Eugene Jarstad, Stanley Jarstad, Mike Jarstad, Frank Scholze, and Curt Hayes.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Northfield Lutheran Church.
Visitation will take place at the church from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service. Burial will follow at Northfield
Lutheran Cemetery with military honors. Following services, refreshments will be served in the church
basement. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Northfield Lutheran Church, Northfield Cemetery
Association, the Hixton Volunteer Fire Department, or the Hanson-Lien American Legion Post 368.
Jensen-Modjeski Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.