Kenneth R. Hagen

Kenneth R. Hagen
March 21, 1942 - February 7, 2024

   Kenneth Reid Hagen, 81, of Lewis Center, Ohio, and Hamler, Ohio, passed away on Wednesday, February 7, 2024 at The Ohio State University Hospital, Columbus, Ohio.
   He was born March 21, 1942 in Hamler to the late Raymond and Florence (Rayle) Hagen. Ken was the oldest of seven children. He was raised in a faithful home and was baptized, confirmed and ordained as a minister at St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Hamler where he also received perfect Sunday school attendance for 18 years. In 1960 he graduated from Deshler High School and then served his country in the U.S. Army.
   He spent his youth and spent his early adulthood as a farmer and skilled John Deere Mechanic and worked for Walt Jackman in Hamler. Ken attended Dana College in Blair, Nebraska and graduated in 1974. He furthered his studies at Trinity Lutheran Theological Seminary in Columbus, Ohio and graduated with a Masters of Divinity in 1978. He would go on to serve churches in Plevna, Montana, East Jordan, Michigan; Riverview, Michigan; Metamora, Ohio and Sulfur Springs, Ohio. He also served as a chaplain for both Philmont Boy Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico and Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.
   On September 25, 1966 he married Jane (Katterheinrich) Hagen at the New Knoxville United Methodist Church. They have shared over 57 years together and a lifetime of love and memories. They raised three children and were blessed with 7 grandchildren. Together, Ken and Jane kept homes in Lewis Center and Hamler. They remained faithful Christians and are members of All Shepherds and St. Stephen Lutheran Churches. Ken was a private pilot and aviation enthusiast. In 2021 he received the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award in recognition of 50 years of exemplary aviation flight experience. He loved offering airplane rides to everyone including local farmers and friends as well as youth interested in flying by supporting the local EAA Young Eagles program. Before fully retiring, Ken also worked over 20 years designing, programming and installing smart home technology. He was a life-long learner and enjoyed not only learning about new technology and became an early adopter and ambassador for solar energy but also cherished collecting and restoring player pianos.
   He is survived by his children, Todd (Michele) Hagen; Tamara (Bill) Warrell; Marie (Jeff) Thornhill; seven grandchildren, Hunter and Emma Hagen, Thomas and Austin Warrell and Anna, Ava and Alexis Thornhill; his six siblings, Kathleen (William) Militzer; David (Caren) Hagen; Linda (Eugene) Gierke; James (Judy) Hagen; Bruce (Kathy) Hagen; Melissa (Paul) Yarian along with many nieces and nephews.
   A memorial service will be held at 10:00 am on Monday, February 12, 2024 at All Shepherds Lutheran Church, Lewis Center. Visitation will be the same evening from 6-8 pm in Deshler, Ohio at Feehan Rodenberger Funeral Home.  Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, February 13, 2024 at St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Hamler.  Graveside services with military honors will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery, Deshler.
   In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be shared with either All Shepherds Lutheran Church or St. Stephen Lutheran Church or in honor of Ken’s grandson Austin, donations can be made to MPS research at teamsanfilippo.org.
Messages and memories can be left for the family at www.feehanrodenbergerfuneralhome.com

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