Buzz Hagen, 1942-2017

Published 10:10 am Tuesday, January 17, 2017

O. H. “Buzz” Hagen, 74, of Marion, Iowa, passed away Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, at his home. A celebration of life will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at Cedar Ridge Winery, 1441 Marak Road NW, Swisher, Iowa 52338. Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Marion is assisting the family.

Buzz Hagen

Buzz Hagen

Buzz is survived by his wife, Bobbie of Marion; three children, Tammie Hagen of Nevada, Kim (Steve) Flaa of Albert Lea and Keli Hagen of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; five grandchildren, Samantha (Jeff) Hopp of Des Moines and their children, Caleb, Grady and Owen, Ethan (Megan) Moyer of Thorton, Colorado, Maxx Flaa of Eagan, Hannah Moyer of St. Paul and Elizabeth Obst of Cedar Rapids; and siblings Neom (Ken) Johanson of Minnesota and Ordean Hagen of Nebraska.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Darlene Dinse; and brother, Harland Hagen.

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Buzz was born Jan. 20, 1942, in New Richland, the son of Orland and Carol (Weed) Hagen. He graduated from New Richland High School. Buzz served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He was a longtime resident of Albert Lea, where he was the former mayor and owner of several Standard Oil stations. Buzz was most recently the CEO of CIMC Intermodal and traveled internationally, including to China many times.

Buzz and Bobbie would have celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary in February. In addition to Minnesota, the couple has resided in Arizona, Colorado, Texas and California before moving back to Iowa to be close to family. Buzz grew up a Minnesota farm boy and recently purchased 34 head of cattle. He found great joy visiting the cattle and watching them grow in the past couple of months.

Buzz will be remembered for his strength, leadership, tenacious spirit, kindness and generosity. His personality and presence filled the room. He loved his wife and family fervently and was surrounded by them until he took his last breath.

“We are the remembers, the people left behind, to keep the one who’s gone from us alive in heart and mind, the people left to cherish and preserve a legacy,” the family said.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of Mercy, 315 18th Ave., Hiawatha, Iowa, 52233 or The Blesie Tree Foundation-Ghosh Center, 1951 51st St.NE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 52402.

Memories of Buzz can be shared at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.