L. Darlene Hagen

L. Darlene Hagen was born on a farm southeast of Hurley, SD on September 21,1928 to Floyd and Alice (Pelmulder) Friman. She passed away on July 19,2022 at the age of 93.

Darlene was the youngest child of five girls.  She was raised on a farm in the Hurley area and attended grade school and high school in Hurley.

On Valentine’s Day, February 14,1947 she married Stanley Hagen of Parker. They made their home on a farm northeast of Parker for over 41 years.  After leaving the farm they spent a few years in Sioux Falls before moving back to Parker. She has always been proud of their three daughters, Cheryl, Charlene, and Colleen.

After riding a school bus for 12 years, Darlene evidently enjoyed it so much that she chose to drive a Parker school bus for several years.  She was the “First Mama Bus Driver” for Parker.  She loved the children and driving very much.

Darlene attended church all her life.  She has been a member of First Presbyterian Church in Parker since 1979.  She has been active in the women’s groups and has served as deacon several times over the years.  Darlene and her husband spent many years working with youth in the church.

Darlene was Parker’s “pecan pie lady”. Some years she made at least 100 pies a year to give away. She was Parker’s Welcome Wagon lady for a few years.  She loved to meet the young and old. For several years she was a Senior Home Companion to elderly, Alzheimer’s clients, and Shut-ins. She gave love and friendship to them in their homes.

Darlene loved to paint buildings, fences, machinery, and many things on the farm.  She also painted their “Marigold House” in Parker.  She also gave pedicures and helped many elderly people and was known as “the Hoof Trimmer”.

Preceding her in death were her loving husband Stanley of 68 years, her parents, sisters, and brothers-in-law, Iona (Pat Bondesen) of Hurley, Lucille (Kenneth Lineback) of Viborg, Joyce (Emery Lineback) of Irene, Marjorie (Richard Jensen) of Sioux Falls, and her son-in-law Darwin Mellegaard of Parker.

To mourn her passing she leaves her daughters Cheryl (Steve Beier) of Sioux Falls, Charlene (Bruce Ritter) of Parker, Colleen (Jim Steen) of Sioux Falls and her 6 much loved grandchildren: Ryan (Jessi) Beier of Harrisburg, Shalece Beier of Sioux Falls, Corey (Leah) Mellegaard of Dimock, Lane (Brooke) Mellegaard of Sioux Falls, Chelsey (Michael) Phipps of Denison, IA, and Jessica (Joseph) Nickels of Lexington, KY.  And 18 great-grandchildren: Evan, Mareth, and C.J. Beier of Harrisburg, Claire, Anna, Drew, and Ezra Mellegaard of Dimock, Meile, Berklie, and Kase Mellegaard of Sioux Falls, Harper and Brielle Phipps of Denison, IA, Jonathan, Hadassah, and (new baby due mid-August) Nickels of Lexington, Ky., Ali, Mahdi, Ona, and Evie Beier of Sioux Falls. Also, many wonderful relatives, neighbors, and friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:30 August 6 ^th at the First Presbyterian Church in Parker with fellowship and lunch immediately after in the Parker Community Building.  A private family burial of the cremains of Darlene and Stanley together will be at Rosehill Cemetery in Parker. Services will be streamed at www.facebook.com/HofmeisterJonesFuneralHome/ .

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials be given to the Parker Community Bible School or the Union Gospel Mission.