Arnold “Arnie” B. Hagen – Obit

Arnold “Arnie” B. Hagen, 95, Fertile, MN, passed away on Friday, July 22, 2022, at Fair Meadow Nursing Home in Fertile.

Arnold “Arnie” B. Hagen was born on April 5, 1927, to Lawrence and Bella (Ystenes) Hagen at home along with his twin sister Alice in Fertile.

Arnie attended school through the 8th Grade. He was a lifelong member of Concordia Church. He was born with cerebral palsy although it never stopped him from anything! Arnie’s parents did as much as they could to help him with his muscles. They sent him to Washington D.C. to have surgery and to Vallejo, CA to a muscle therapy school. His twin sister Alice went out here to visit for a while. When he returned to Fertile, he kept busy working along with road construction and later traveling to the southern United States tending to his Bee Business. He also invested in rental properties.

Arnie had a cocker spaniel named “Pepper” that was his sidekick. One night Arnie was having a few cocktails at a local establishment, he ordered a pizza to take home, and when they got home, Arnie grabbed for the pizza, but it was gone… Pepper enjoyed the pizza! Another time, Arnie was driving home and passed his house, he decided to walk home, and he told Pepper to take him home, she led him back to his house.

Arnie met Iluminada (Luming) Belen, they dated, fell in love, and were married on June 23, 1979, in Ada at the courthouse. Arnie was a loving father to Luming’s children, and he treated them as his own.

Arnie and Luming started a business called Ragna’s Penn Foods, which they sold Lefsa and Dumpling mix for about 10 years.

They enjoyed lake life and had a camper at the Lakeview Campground for over 37 years. They also had a timeshare in Detroit Lakes. Arnie enjoyed fishing for northerns and spending time on the pontoon. They made many friends over the years at these places. Arnie enjoyed hunting with his son Emil and his nephew Larry.

Arnie, Luming, Emil, Gail, and Ross enjoyed a trip to California. He also traveled to the Philippines with Luming, Myrna, Randy and Ben. Arnie loved watching the Minnesota Vikings, watching western movies, going to the casino, and visiting with everyone! Another fun memory was when Luming won a trip from the Shooting Star to anywhere. They decided they wanted to go to Las Vegas. They invited Emil and Kelly. He thoroughly enjoyed this trip, gambling, taking in different shows, visiting with many different people and the taxi rides, even though on one taxi ride he got up and his pants fell down… we all laughed so hard!!

Arnie decided in 2014 that he would benefit from moving into the Fair Meadow Nursing Home. This fit him well as he made many friends and was always busy visiting all the time and moving around in his scooter. He loved joking around with the staff and loved taking pictures with them. He was always game and enjoyed taking part in all of the activities. He loved when he could reminisce about old stories about Fertile. He appreciated all the help and love he received from the nursing home staff.

Arnie was a very friendly, relaxed, down-to-earth gentleman. He enjoyed visiting with everyone, always full of stories. His eyes would light up when the little children came around. He loved handing out candy at Halloween and enjoyed dressing up too! Family and friends were very important to him. He was loved by everyone who knew him. He could visit for hours.

Arnie was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence and Bella Hagen; brothers-in-law, Raymond Severson, and Manley “Bud” Knutson; sisters-in-law, Mabel Hagen and Lucille Severson; nephew, John Knutson; niece, Janice Wright; and great-grandson, Dylan Pearson.

He is survived by his wife, Iluminada (Luming); children, Myrna (Brian) Pearson, Emil (Kelly) Belen, Randy Hammer, and Ben (Jessi) Hagen; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; twin sister, Alice Knutson; brothers, John Hagen, and Monroe (Jeanette) Hagen; nephews, John (Nancy) Severson, Dean (Jo) Severson, Jerry (Lisa) Knutson, Mike (Liz) Hagen, and Larry (Debi) Hagen; and nieces, Mary (Dewey) Anderson, Pat (Duane) Gates, Martha (Gary) Modrynski, Teresa (Bill) Grant, and Susan (Billy Sintiris) Hagen.

Arnie always had a big smile…Anyone who knew Arnie will smile when they remember him!

Private family services were held.

Please view our guestbook and share condolences online at www.fredriksonfh.com

Arrangements with Erikson-Vik-Ganje Funeral Home

Fertile, Minnesota