Garry Hageness Obituary

Garry D. Hageness, formerly of Strum, passed away on October 11. Garry was born November 9, 1938 to T. Alvin and Anna (Peterson) Hageness, the fifth of six children. As a child he lived in the Eau Claire, Augusta, Mondovi and Eleva areas. Garry learned to accept and face challenges at an early age with the passing of his dad when he was eight years old.

His dad's passing, along with joining the Marine Corps at the age of 17 after graduating from Eleva-Strum High School, had a very profound effect on his life's journey. He served in the Marines for two years, which after his return home he married Sonia Bergerson on May 9, 1959.

They eventually settled in the Strum area to raise their family and were married 61+ years. Throughout his life Garry and Sonia owned and operated several businesses including the Strum Hardware Store, Hageness Heating and AC, and Titan Air Inc. in Osseo, WI, retiring on May 9, 1998.

Garry actively served on various local board of directors including The United Bank of Osseo, and was the President of the Tri-County Telephone Cooperative for 25 years. As a man of faith, he served in his church with varied positions throughout the years. He was active in the community; always humbly helping community members with various causes and activities.

He enjoyed attending local high school sporting events, and for many years was a member of the football "chain gang." In retirement, Garry spearheaded, donated his time and talents for the rebuilding of the Eleva-Strum Schools outdoor athletic complex. Throughout his life he was a proud patriot, and a member of the Freemasonry Fraternity, from which he committed to bettering himself, his community, and his nation. Garry was awarded the highest honor in the organization when he received the 33rd Degree. Through his involvement in the Masons, he achieved one of his greatest accomplishments when he and Sonia helped found and establish the Children's Dyslexia Center of Upper Wisconsin, in Eau Claire, WI. Garry and Sonia treasured their family, and the life they built. Their grandchildren were viewed as the best part of growing old. They enjoyed traveling the U.S. and abroad to visit family and friends. They spent several winters in Arizona.

Garry is survived by sons, Greg (Suellen) Hageness of Fall Creek, and Jon Hageness (Michele Elliot) of Osseo; grandchildren, Derek (Lauren) Hageness, Anna (Aaron) Hageness-Gonzales, Olivia (fiancé Dylan Woodley) Hageness, Marissa (Benjamin) Scheel, and Nathan (Lindsay) Hageness; great-grandchildren, Marston, Andrick, Murphy, Sonny, and soon, Baby Boy Scheel. He is further survived by siblings, Margie Jacobson and Judy (Steve) Stewart; sister-in-law, Susan Larson and brother-in law, Ron (Polly) Bergerson, along with nieces and nephews.

He was proceeded in death by his wife, Sonia; parents, Alvin and Anna; daughter-in-law, Wendy Hageness; in-laws, Clara and Odell Bergerson; brothers and sisters-in-law, LaVern Hageness, Duane and Florence Hageness, Stan and Louise (Toots) Hageness; and brothers-in-law, Alan Jacobson, Dan Bergerson and Richard Bergerson.

Services which will include military and Masonic rites will be held on Tuesday, October 22at 11 a.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Strum with Pastor Terry Lorenz officiating. Visitation will be held at the church on Monday, October 21, from 3-7 p.m. There will also be a visitation from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Tuesday. Internment will be private, at a later date.

The service will be lived streamed via the church website: immanuel-strum.com/worship.html. The service will also be archived to view at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Children's Dyslexia Center of Upper WI in Eau Claire, the Athletic Department or Cardinal Manufacturing Program at the Eleva-Strum High School are suggested.

The family would like to thank the staff of The Classic at Hillcrest Greens and St. Croix Hospice for the exceptional and compassionate care they provided.

The family is assisted by Anderson Funeral Home in Augusta.

Online condolences can be left at andersonfhaugusta.com.