Paul C. Hagen

Paul C. Hagen, 93, formerly of Fargo and Mesa, AZ, died Sunday, December 29, 2013, at St. Benedict’s Senior Living in St. Cloud, MN.

Paul Curtis Hagen was born January 3, 1920, in Portland, ND to Peder and Cora (Fore) Hagen.
Paul graduated from Portland High School, where he played football and basketball. He attended college at the University of North Dakota and received his BSC in 1949.

He was drafted into the Army at the age of 22. He trained at Camp Hale in Colorado prior to becoming part of a bi-lingual unit called the 99th Infantry Battalion (Sep) Norwegian American ski troopers. Paul graduated from United States Military Intelligence Training Center Camp of Ritchie, MD in April 1943. He received five battle stars and a bronze star from the European Theatre of Operations. He fought in five major battles, including the Battle of the Bulge, and was recently honored by both Norway and France with medals, the most recent being the Knight of the Legion of Honor from France.

Following his honorable discharge, he worked for American Financial Insurance, Co and retired in 1982, after working in the insurance business for 30 years.

He was united in marriage to Laila C. Evanson on June 3, 1946 in Portland, ND, and they were blessed with three daughters. They enjoyed 45 years together before Laila passed away July 2, 1991.

He was married to Clara Leona Alexander on August 24, 1992, at First Lutheran Church in Fargo, ND.

Paul was a member of First Lutheran Church in Fargo and St. Peters Lutheran Church in Mesa, AZ, and was also a member of the Y’s Men’s Club.

Paul will be sadly missed by his two daughters, Paulette (Donal) Anderson of St. Cloud, MN, and Patricia (Brian) Qvammen of Grand Forks, ND; grandsons, Ryan and Corey Anderson; brother, Marvin (Ruth) Hagen, Fargo, ND; sister-in-law, Doris Wiggen, Mayville, ND; along with many nieces, nephews and friends. His step family includes Sally (Ruben) Valdez and Lane (Takiko) Alexander, seven step-grandchildren, and four step-great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his loving wives, Laila and Lee; infant daughter, Barbara; and brother, Howard Hagen.