Gilmer P. Hagen

Gilmer Phillip Hagen, age 100, passed away April 30, 2025 at American Lutheran Home in Menomonie, WI.

He was born September 29, 1924 in New Haven Township, Wisconsin the only child of Oliver and Lillian (Everson) Hagen in a Norwegian community. His family moved to Menomonie in 1929.

At that time Gilmer could not speak English and his dad Oliver took him to East School and asked them to teach him English. He later graduated from Menomonie High School in 1943. Gilmer was a year older when he graduated due to his 2 years in first grade learning English. When he turned 18, he was drafted but was able to get his draft deferred until he graduated before entering the service. More important to him was that his Menomonie high school track team had named him track captain for the 1943 spring season.

He was drafted into the Army and sent to Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas. He spent time training in the desert and in Florida. In 1945 he and 800 servicemen set out from Seattle headed to the South Pacific. They sailed into a typhoon, damaging the ship, and it started to take on water. They docked at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii for repairs, but the ship sank on its way to the repair yard. All 800 men’s records were lost, and they had to have new records along with vaccinations and additional basic training. He spent the rest of his tour, manning search lights and radar as Hawaii was under threat of invasion from Japan. He was discharged in February of 1946 from Fort McCoy Wisconsin.

After returning to Menomonie, he said it was time to find a wife! Enter Joyce Schultz, they were married June 15, 1948 at our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Menomonie. They spent many happy years golfing, bowling, traveling, and following Menomonie high school sports. Whitetail golf course was their second home.

Joyce passed in 2014 and Gilmer lived in the home he built on 14th St. in 1947 until he moved into assisted-living in 2021 and later transitioning to the American Lutheran Home.

Gilmer is survived by his daughter, Trudy, Hagen (Rod) Smeltzer, son-in-law Warren Chellman, daughter-in-law Lynn Hagen. He is further survived by his grandchildren, Megan (Bryan) Tkachuk , Kristofor (Emily) Smeltzer, Kayln (Eric) Obry, Bryn (Lewis) Walker, Kelly (Lee) Sandusky, Jill (Brad) Malehorn, and Nick Chellman; Great grandchildren, Tessa, Josie, Allison, Katelyn, Valerie, Luke, Ethan, Elllie, Bryce, Brielle and Lewis.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Joyce, son, Chad Hagen, Daughter, Kim, Hagen Chellman.

Special thanks to all who cared for Gilmer especially the American Lutheran Home staff, and St. Croix hospice.

The family recommends memorials to be directed to the Our Savior’s Lutheran building restoration project as Gilmer was a member for 95 years ,the year the church was built!

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 10, 2025 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Menomonie, WI with Pastor Sarah Miller officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at Evergreen Cemetery in Menomonie, WI with Military Honors performed by Menomonie, Veterans Honor Guard.

To share a memory, please visit obituaries at www.olsonfuneral.com