Alvin E. "Daisy" Hagen, age 82, of Fosston, MN passed away on Sunday, June 10th at First Care Hospital in Fosston. Alvin E. Hagen was born on January 7, 1925 in Duluth, MN to parents Even and Alvina (Pavek) Hagen. He moved with his family to Fosston, MN in 1939, and graduated from Fosston High School in 1943.

He entered the U.S. Army on January 10, 1944 and served in the 82nd Air Borne, Co. D, 508 Parachute Infantry Regiment. Daisy was wounded in the Battle of the Bulge on January 10, 1945 and was awarded the Purple Heart Medal. On September 25, 1945 he received his Honorable Discharge from the Army.

After the war, Daisy returned to Fosston and assisted with the Phy. Ed. Dept. at Fosston High to the Dairy Queen in 1962. He also drove [the] school bus for the Fosston School [and] other Fosston businesses.

He was united in marriage to Carol Hoper on August 18, 1956 at St. Petri Lutheran Church in Stephen, MN, and they made their home in Fosston. Daisy was active in Rotary, Fosston Community Club, Fosston Library and Arts Center Board Member, and a longtime member of Hope Lutheran Church and past president of the congregation in Fosston.

Survivors include his wife Carol of Fosston; six children, Mark (Barb) of Fosston, Mitchell (Becky) of Prior Lake, MN, Marshall (Judy) of Fayetteville, NC, Heather (Len) Archer of Milford, MA, Matthew (Naomi) of Fosston, and Christopher of Fosston; 13 grandchildren, Josh and Jessie Hagen, Nate, Zach and Sam Hagen, Taylor and Christian Archer, Shelby and Camille Hagen, and Ashley, Devin, Jacqueline and Alex Hagen; four sisters, Geni Miller of Care Free, AZ, Kathy (Conrad) Johnstad of Eau
Claire, WI, Camilla (Maury) Lewitt of Encino, CA, and Claudia (Don) Hable of Bloomer, WI; as well as many other relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents; and an infant sister, Ellen Joy Hagen.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, June 14th at 3:00 p.m. at Hope Lutheran Church in Fosston with Rev. Paul Magelssen officiating. Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. at the Carlin-Hoialmen Funeral Home in Fosston, and for one hour before the funeral at the church. Interment will be at Hope Lutheran Cemetery in Fosston, and the Carlin-Hoialmen Funeral Home of Fosston is in charge of the arrangements.

[Grand Forks Herald, Grand Forks, ND, 12 Jun 2007, Page 3]

[courtesy of Jolene Moran]

Grave marker for Alvin E, Hagen in Hope Lutheran Cemetery, Fosston (Polk county), Minnesota.

Alvin enlisted in the Army on 10 January 1944.

On 21 November 1944, Pvt Hagen was transferred to Company D, 508rh PIR.

Pvt Hagen was wounded in action on 10 January 1945 and evacuated.

On 12 April 1945, still unable to be released for duty, he was transferred to the the hospital's detachment of patients and did not return to the regiment.

He was discharged from the army on 25 September 1945.

Alvin's military decorations include the Purple Heart and the Combat Infantryman Badge for action during the campaign, 18 December1944 to 20 February 1945.