I. GENEVIEVE HAGEN, 78, of 116 E. Tyler Ave., died Sunday, January 7, 2001 at Luther Hospital resulting from injuries suffered in an automobile accident. She was born on October 10, 1922 in Amherst, Wisconsin to Einar and Emma (Gartzke) Kjendalen. \r\nGenevieve grew up in Iola, Wisconsin with the Henry Kjendalen family after the death of her mother. She attended school there for ten years before moving to Sioux Falls, South Dakota where she graduated from high school. Genevieve attended Augustana College in Sioux Falls for two years, then transferred to St. Olaf College, where she graduated cum laude in 1944 with degrees in Norwegian and History. \r\nShe taught school in Truman, Minnesota, then moved to Eau Claire to be Parish Youth Director at First Lutheran Church in 1946. It was in Eau Claire that she met her future husband, Harold O. "Huck" Hagen. On August 23, 1947, Genevieve married Harold in Iola, Wisconsin.\r\nAs she raised her family, Genevieve was a substitute teacher in the Eau Claire Schools and taught private piano lessons. She later was an instructor for 9 years at UW-Eau Claire, teaching Norwegian Language and Culture. After retirement, genealogy became Genevieve's passion. Recent years saw her complete the first volume of a planned series on Hage/ Kjendalen heritage. She also contributed significantly to the Chippewa Valley Historical Museum and the establishment of the Waldemar Ager Association.\r\nGenevieve was a member of the Sons of Norway, Nordmanns-Forbundet, the Midwest Institute of Scandinavian Culture, the Waldemar Ager Association, and the Norwegian-American Historical Association. She was a longtime member of First Lutheran Church and Trinity Lutheran Church. She served both congregations faithfully in many capacities from Sunday School and Bethel teacher, to choir director, council member and as a leader of church women's activities. \r\nService was Genevieve's life-long calling. Her church, family, friends, and Norwegian heritage were the focus of her efforts, and brought great joy to her life. A commitment to excellence and achievement was her constant objective. She was an example for others to follow.\r\nSurvivors include a daughter, Margaret (Douglas) Daniel, Lafayette, LA; five sons, Philip (Candice), Carmel, IN, Colin (Susan), Eau Claire, Richard (Nancy), Stoughton, Peter (Marcia), Minneapolis, MN, and Timothy (DeeAnne), Albany, IN; thirteen grandchildren, Mark Hagen and Kelly Breedlove, Nathan and Adam Daniel, Chad and Heather Hagen, Andrew, Benjamin and Eric Hagen, Matthew and Rebecca Hagen, Jacob and Kirsten Hagen; and two step-grandchildren, Nicholas and Heather Roach; three great-grandchildren, Abigail, Ethan and Justin; sister, Roscelia Lease of Stevens Point; three step-sisters, Dorothy McTigue of Sioux Falls, SD, Martha (Dick) Hilderman of Jupiter, FL and Celestia ("Lettie") Hymore of Parkston, SD; step-brother, Floyd ("Jack") Heaton of Sioux Falls, SD; cousins, including Palmer Kjendalen of Hudson, IN, Ruth Beck of Portland, WA, and Helen Jensen of Dixson, IL; nieces and nephews.\r\nShe was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Harold in 1999; a grandson, Jason Daniel; and her stepmother, Zelda Ditto Kjendalen.\r\nFuneral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, January 11, 2001 at First Lutheran Church with the Rev. Dr. Duane C. Pederson officiating. Burial will be in Forest Hill Cemetery. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home and an hour prior to services Thursday at the church.\r\nIn lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to First Lutheran Church, the Waldemar Ager Association, or the charity of one's choice.

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