February 2, 1935 – October 29, 2025
Richard Dean Hagen passed away October 29 at his home in Northwood, Iowa, at the age of 90. Funeral services will be held at First Lutheran Church, 309 North 9th Street, Northwood, on Saturday, November 8 at 11:00 a.m. (visitation at 10:00). Visitation will also be held Friday, November 7, 5:00–7:00 p.m. at Conner Colonial Chapels, 1008 1st Avenue South, Northwood.
Richard was born February 2, 1935, in Northwood, Iowa, to Julia (Ostmo) and Leonard Hagen. He was baptized and confirmed at Bristol Lutheran Church. He attended country school and graduated in 1952 from Northwood High School.
His future was uncertain after his mother, Julia, passed away unexpectedly during surgery when he was 15. Richard and his sister LaDonna lived for a time with Don and Edith Wright. Their older sister, Ila Mae, returned to Northwood to create a home for the three of them, with brother Donnie financially assisting by working extra hours at Wilson’s in Albert Lea. Despite their family’s hardship, all four Hagen siblings took life in stride and went on to build wonderful futures.
Richard hadn’t planned to attend college until one of his favorite teachers, Mr. Besser, stopped him on the sidewalk one day and asked where he was headed for college. Upon learning there were no such plans, Mr. Besser insisted—and helped Richard enroll at Iowa State University, including finding a way to cover the first semester of expenses. That single act of kindness gave Richard the future he never expected. His lifelong dedication to Iowa State and Cyclone sports endured to his final days. Even as dementia stole many memories, his love for Iowa State remained strong to the end.
In 1961, Richard married Virgie Williamson. After moving to Minnesota, son Michael joined their life, followed shortly thereafter by sons Cameron and Jeffrey. Then, in 1973, a blond-haired, blue-eyed girl named Heidi arrived, completing the Hagen family.
With a degree in Agricultural Education and Journalism—but no teaching positions available—Richard began his career writing for Farm Journal in Des Moines, Iowa. His work eventually took him to Richfield, Minnesota. After spending time researching and writing about agriculture in the rich farmland of Olivia, Minnesota, he relocated his family to “The Little Ponderosa,” their country home near Olivia. Bob Rauenhorst of Trojan Seed convinced him to start a new chapter as a writer for Trojan Seed Magazine. That opportunity began this Iowa boy’s deep love for Olivia and Renville County. His dedication to the seed industry continued through his years with Trojan Seed and Keltgen Seed. He loved going to work each day, eager to learn something new he could share to help others better understand agriculture.
His deep, resonant voice became familiar to many through agricultural radio broadcasts, including with Lynn Kittelsen and the Linder Farm Network, Olivia’s FM-100 with the Blum family, and others. Dick’s bass singing voice also brought him joy through community theater musicals in Olivia and 20 years of performing with the Woodbury Chorus and Orchestra.
In later years, The Land Magazine, a rural Minnesota agricultural news outlet, appreciated his unique writing style—leading to a run of nearly 15 years. Dick’s favorite days were spent visiting farms, interviewing innovative farmers, or following his curiosity down a country road that might lead to his next story. If an ag-related company wanted to share a new product or idea with the public, a call to Dick Hagen nearly guaranteed it would be featured. Beyond The Land, he helped keep local agriculture alive through his writing for several Renville County newspapers.
A thinker, dreamer, and idea man, Dick was always creating. From launching Cornland USA and Corn Talk for Keltgen Seed to decorating Olivia’s downtown street lamps with corn shucks, emceeing community events, and introducing the likes of Marilyn Sellars, Olivia Newton-John, and Loretta Lynn, Dick was in his element—professional, enthusiastic, and often rewarded with a friendly kiss on the cheek.
An unexpected encounter with a gal named Gladie led to a lasting relationship and their wedding at The Little Ponderosa on June 27, 1998. Their home became a welcoming place for friends and family, with a warm fire in winter months and lively conversation year-round. Their traditional New Year’s Eve parties became a favorite event for a decade. Together, Dick and Gladie also shared more than 30 years as active volunteers and members of Lions International—a community commitment they deeply enjoyed.
In 1988, Dick joined 197 cyclists on a six-week, 3,397-mile TransAmerica Bike Trek from Seattle, Washington, to Atlantic City, New Jersey. His entrepreneurial spirit never slowed, even after 65. A bike sales and repair shop soon filled his shed, and he delighted in putting as many people on bikes as possible. An avid runner and cyclist, fitness was his lifeblood.
Alongside biking, Dick completed more than 30 marathons. His natural endurance carried him through each one with minimal injury. Every Saturday morning, a 5K or 10K within an hour’s drive was fair game—he became known as the dependable runner that local communities could count on seeing. His many ribbons, trophies, plaques, and mugs filled the Hagen home, while Gladie remained his constant supporter and fan.
His agricultural curiosity eventually turned toward viticulture. After writing about growing grapes in Minnesota’s climate, Dick decided to prove it could be done. With help from friends, he planted about 678 grape seedlings at The Ponderosa. Learning as he went and tending the vineyard daily brought him immense pride. He loved when visitors stopped to ask questions—and the teacher in him always emerged, eager to share what he’d learned. His writing, even on complex topics, was known for making information accessible and engaging.
Through all of life’s adventures, Dick’s greatest pride and joy were his children and grandchildren. Their successes and stories brought him endless happiness.
Left to remember Dad and Grandpa are:Michael and Eva (Luc [Heather] and Ella); Cam and Kathy (Connor [James] and Kyla [David]); Jeff and Susana (Aliana and Isabella); and Heidi and Nate Pearson (Nick, Bennett, Grant, and Rowan).
Dick is also survived by the mother of his children, Virgie, and his wife Gladie, along with her family: Kael and Jenny Iverson (Keagan and Maxwell) and Justin and Amy Iverson (Eli and Makenna); sister LaDonna Kerton; sister-in-law Gloria Hagen; and many nieces and nephews who hold fond memories.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Julia and Leonard Hagen; brother Donnie; sister Ila Mae (Sherwin) Everding; brother-in-law Roy Kerton; dear friends including Paul Buhr, Jim Page, Paul Peterson, Ted Vavricka, Doc Keltgen; classmates; and loyal readers.
Dick’s legacy lives on in the stories he told, the communities he strengthened, and the family he loved.
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