Shirley Hagen

Shirley Hagen passed away on Wednesday, May 3, 2017 at Pleasant View Good Samaritan Society in St. James. Shirley Arlene Bonderman was born on March 15, 1925 in St. James, MN, the daughter of Paul and Edna (Cornelius) Bonderman. Shirley grew up on a farm in rural Madelia Minnesota where she loved riding horses with friends and her sister Arlys. After graduating from high school she moved to the Twin Cities and worked as a switchboard operator at Western Union. On November 9th, 1946 she married Irving Hagen and together they farmed by Hanska Lake and raised 3 children. They enjoyed 70 years of marriage together. During those earlier years she enjoyed being the pitcher on the girls Godahl softball team, going on fishing trips, playing piano and singing in the church choir. She was an active member of the Albion Lutheran Church, Sons of Norway, American Legion Auxiliary, and enjoyed bowling leagues in Hanska. Her love for horses never left and was once a member of the Godahl Saddle Club and Sleepy Eye Saddle Club, participating in horse shows and trail rides with her son and daughter. Shirley was also a talented and enthusiastic accordion player. She played solo and also duet with her fiddler friend Sydney Mathistad at many programs and events. She also accompanied the Hanska Lin-Hans-Rud Dancers and performed in Norway, Florida, Oregon, North Dakota and many Syttende Mai programs in Hanska. Each year she looked forward to camping at the Steam Threshers Reunion in Rollag Minnesota with her husband Irving, brothers Daryl and Roscoe, and playing music with her sister Arlys. Shirley was full of spunk, had a wonderful zest for life and loved her husband and family above all else. She was a caring, giving, and loving wife and mother. Shirley is survived by her husband of 70 years Irving Hagen of St. James, children; Alan Terry (Evelyn) Hagen of Hanska, Ronald Hagen of Mankato, Melva (Steve) Dahl of North Mankato, 6 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter, a brother Daryl (Gwen) Bonderman of Sand Creek, WI. She is preceded in death by her parents and siblings Rosco & Judy Bonderman and Arlys & Vincent Tharp. Visitation 1 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm Monday, May 8, 2017 Sturm Funeral Home, St. James Chapel 906 - 10th Ave. S. St. James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Visitation 2 10:00 am - 11:00 am Tuesday, May 9, 2017 Albion Lutheran Cemetery-St. James 10454 250th Ave. St. James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Service Information 11:00 am Tuesday, May 9, 2017 Albion Lutheran Church, St. James 10454 250th Ave. Saint James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Interment Information Albion Lutheran Church, St. James 10454 250th Ave. Saint James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Fellowship Lunch will be served in the church fellowship hall following burial.