Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1937-11-11
GETTING DOWN TO
RAS TACKS'
ANOTHER DAD

ANOTHER DAD
For the third time in as many
years the Herald this week chron-
icles the passing of a beloved par
ent OF one OF those engaged in the
publication of a paper. This time it
is the death of our faithful and pop
ular resident manager, who, after
only a short Illness, passed to his
reward in a Williston hospital Tues
day morning.
II there Is such a thing as a bea-
utiful death, one finds it depicted
in the passing of Reverend Hagen.
To have rounded out a full life of
almost four score years, a life en-
tirely devoted to Christian service
and the betterment of mankind, to
have enjoyed throughout that time
the companionship Of a sanity help
mate and the blessings of good heal
tn, then to have seen a family Of IL
children cared in that home who
will add to his posterity records of
splendid achievement, and then say,
in glorious victory as the end APP
proachess 81 am ready;"-that. to
me. is a beautiful and a glorious
death.
The long record of service by rev.
erend Hagen is typical of many
early pioneer pastors who came to
this section of the country to help
establish churches and do mission
airy work. He came before the rail-
road and the automobile, and en-
dured many hardships of the early
settler in getting to and from his
several parishes in eastern Montana
and western North Dakota. Stories
are told of how, even in coolest
weather. he would ride on loads of
grain as far as 80 miles in order to
reach his parish. For 26 years he
%traversed the plains. preaching to
hundreds of congregations, minist-
ering to the weak and the strong,
never swerying from the path of
duty, remaining active until about
a year ago when gradually failing
strength made it necessary for him
TO retire from active work.
Characteristic of his exacting
mode of living, following his death
was found on Rev Hagen's desk that
had always been his most private
sanctum, yearly diaries, most care
fully preserved and furnishing a
complete record Of his ministry
during an entire h~alf-century.
There were notes Of sermons, re-
cords of baptismal services, of the
undreds he had joined in holy mat
rimony. Yes, even in those diaries
"a separate leather bound book
for every year-were passes care
fully preserved, issued by the Great
Northern and Northern Pacific rail-
roads, and used in travel fifty years
ago. What treasured possessions for
remaining members of a devoted
family group.
AS If to add a closing and most
fitting tribute to the memory of
their revered father, all of IL child
rem will attend the funeral Friday
in Culbertson, from the eldest, Mrs.
Fred w. Mann, OF Caldwell, Idaho,
to Arleen, the youngest, who has
been attending business college in
Fargo. Scattered to the -four cor
ners," some in school, some in bust
ness, some following a chosen pro-
fession or trade, they come, for the
first time in Is years to all gat er
round the home fireside. Included
will be nine grandchildren.
4
Shortly after Reverend Hagen
was taken to the hospital it was my
privilege to visit him. Upon taking
departure, we exchanged greet
ings. He looked me straight in the
eye, and there came over his face
a smile-a smile triumphant over
life-a smile that seemed ready to
meet any test that might come-ev-
enunto death! Then, with that smile
came these parting words, I'm rs.
you know, and / shouldn't complain,
even if death should overtake me
now" And so we have the real
Thanotopsis, Sustained and sooth-
ed by an unfaltering trust, / APP
proach the grave, like one who
wraps the drapery of his couch about
him and lies down in pleasant
dreams"
With a record of more than a half
a century Of continuous and devot-
ed service to the spreading of right
in a sinful world; with
sons and daughters of sterling char
acter, tenderest affection, and the
will to emulate the teachings Of a
Cody parent, left behind-some al
ready achieving noticeable success
in their chosen fields; with a host
of cherished friends to mourn his