Watch Carol's Funeral Service

Carol Hagen, age 82 of Winger, MN, passed away quietly in her sleep at Pioneer Memorial Care Center in Erskine, MN, on October 3, 2022.

Carol Marie Hendrickson was born on Sunday, February 11, 1940, to Carl and Mildred Hendrickson in Minot, ND. She was baptized at Norway Lutheran Church in rural North Dakota, 10 miles south of Denbigh.  Shortly after her birth, Carol and her parents moved to Winger, where she grew up on the family farm, just a mile from town. Being the oldest child, she drove the tractor before she started school and could even reach the clutch. At that age, her dad would get the tractor moving and pointed her down the field while he picked up and stacked the hay bales on the wagon. Carol was confirmed at the Calvary Lutheran Church in Winger. Growing up, she helped on the family farm until graduating from McIntosh-Winger High School in 1958. After graduation, Carol moved to Thief River Falls, MN, and worked at a grocery store for the summer before moving back home later that fall. Carol met the love of her life, Martin Hagen, at a dance in Winger and married him the very next summer. They made their home five miles northwest of Winger and started their family. Together they farmed the land and raised cattle, chickens, and an occasional hog or two, and culminating with milking a herd of cows.  While raising four kids that were less than six years apart, she also found the time to sell Avon and work outside of the house. She also worked in Winger as a cook at the Gorilla Café, and just about every other place to eat in town, providing some of the best table fare around. She also made potato salad upon request every summer for the local American Legion and Lions Club events, and an occasional wedding reception. In her spare time, she gardened and canned tomatoes, pickles, peas, beets, beans, corn, jellies, and jams resulting in a couple hundred quarts annually.  Chokecherry jelly and syrup was a favorite! She liked to sew and craft as well, knitting and crocheting miscellaneous items. Carol and Martin were able to "snowbird" for a couple of winters in the early 90's, taking in the Texas sun and enjoying a couple of grandsons that kept her busy. After Martin died in 2003, and due to her mobility issues, Carol hosted a Thursday afternoon hand and foot card game with her friends, Becky and Terry. They always had a good time telling lies, sharing stories and snacks. Occasionally, Dale played also to keep the peace.

In May of 2018, she moved to Pioneer Memorial Care Center in Erskine.  While initially opposed to being there, she quickly became a favorite of the staff with her quick-witted responses "here comes trouble" and feisty behavior. If you knew Carol, she never left you wondering what she meant. She loved spending time outside bird watching and enjoying the nice weather. She enjoyed doing activities and playing cards with anyone and especially when family would visit. Carol loved the visits from family and friends but really loved seeing her grandkids and great-grandkids.  Playing UNO with her great-grandsons was quite a competition. She never cared who won but Jeremiah sure kept track. Rain or shine, hot or cold, her biggest pleasure was the quick trips to the front parking lot for some "fresh air".

Carol is survived by her brother, Milton Hendrickson (Kathy) of Hibbing, MN; daughter, Yvonne (Martin Rieder) of Towner, ND; sons: Duane (Linda Browne) of Fosston, Dale (Bernie) of Mentor, MN, and Doug (Tammi) of Erskine; four grandchildren: Josh (Michelle Venem) of Winger, George (Jessie) of McIntosh, Courtney Rieder (Justis Morrell-Bucy) of Anchorage, AK, and Dylan of Erskine; great-grandsons, Jeremiah and Jackson of Mcintosh and great-granddaughter, Charlie of Winger. She is preceded in death by her husband, Martin; her parents; and three brothers: Henry, Donald, and Curtis.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, October 8, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. at Dovre Free Lutheran Church, Winger, MN.  Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church.  Burial will be in Union Lake Cemetery, Garden Township, rural Winger, MN.