Orville M. Hagen
Orville M. Hagen
Orville M. Hagen, 78, passed away Thursday, April 2, 2026, at Gundersen Health in La Crosse, WI.
He was born June 21, 1947, in Iowa to Oscar and Martha (Frost) Hagen. In the eighth grade, his family moved to Northfield, WI. Orville graduated from Whitehall High School in 1965 and, following graduation, worked in Madison.
On Feb. 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, WI, 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, NE, Marlene Olson of New Brighton, MN, 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 p.m. Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Northfield Lutheran Church. Visitation will take place at the church from 11 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.