Obituary of Steven Douglas Hagen

Steven Douglas Hagen, age 74, of Plymouth, MN, went home to his heavenly Father on May 18, 2024. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Irene Hagen. He is survived by his wife, Judy, his children, Kirstin Nielsen (Chris), Erin Schmidt (Ben), Brandon Hagen (Emily), his grandchildren, Piper, William, Emilia, Torin, Grady, and Greta, his sister, Cyndi Pierce (Hal), and many nieces and nephews.

Steve grew up running the backyards and streets of 1950s/60s Brooklyn Center, where he played backyard games with a cast of characters right out of the movie Stand by Me. After a brief boxing career that flamed out after one match (his competitor defeated him with a glove lace to the eye), he played football, basketball (like he was playing football), and baseball for Brooklyn Center High School. Baseball was his passion until he took up golf, which he continued to play throughout his life.

Steve met the love of his life at church. Judy stole his heart at Cross of Glory when they were 13 and he happily let her keep it. They began dating when they were 16, were high school sweethearts, and married in 1970. Over the years they had three children, one canary, one dog, four houses, one cabin, two sons-in-law, one daughter-in-law, six grandchildren, 26 different floorcoverings, at least 19 cars, an enormous, early edition car phone, and one great, big love.

Steve attended college at the “Harvard of the Midwest” as he called it (others called it Mankato State) for three years until he joined the Army Reserve during the Vietnam War. After basic training, Steve worked his way up through the ranks at a flooring company in Minneapolis, eventually building his own flooring business with his partner, Mark. Steve took immense pride in being a business owner who led with integrity. He had great business sense and salesmanship, cared deeply about his customers, employees, and business associates, and made many lifelong friends. He believed strongly that if he took care of his employees, success would follow. And it did. Steve retired around 2017. In retirement, he and Judy enjoyed spending time at their Wisconsin lake home, traveling to Florida over the winters, working in both yards, and spending time with their grandchildren.

Steve passed away suddenly after a great day at his cabin with his son, Brandon, doing the things he loved. It was a shocking loss, and way too soon for a man who still had a firm grip on a full life.

Quick-witted and silly, Steve had many stories of antics and hijinks, from a wolfman in a tree to a Winnebago in the woods. But he could also be serious when he needed to be. Steve was a man of great faith, conviction, and compassion, and he gave his time and resources generously with his family, friends, and ministries.

Steve’s greatest joys in life were Judy, his kids, his riding mower, his boat, and his grandchildren. He was happiest listening to oldies, smooth jazz, and The Animals while whistling and flipping some blueberry pancakes (chocolate chip for the grandkids) or grilling steaks to serve to the people he loved the most.

A celebration of Steve’s life will be held on Thursday, June 13 at the Hutton House, 10715 S Shore Dr., Medicine Lake, MN. Visitation at 10:00 a.m. and service at 11:00 a.m. Reception immediately following. Due to construction in the area, please consider carpooling if possible. Please join us in wearing “a splash of color” (as he liked to say) in honor of Steve, as he surely would have done.