Calvin Hagge, 96

Calvin Hagge, 96, of Menno, S.D., passed away, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024, at the Menno-Olivet Care Center in Menno. Visitations will be from 5 to 7 p.m., Friday, Aug. 23 with a 7 p.m. scripture service all at Salem Reformed Church in Menno. The funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 24 at the Salem Reformed Church with Rev. Michael Hecht officiating. Burial will follow at Our Savior’s West Cemetery in rural Menno. Online condolences may be sent at www.opsahl-kostelfuneralhome.com. Opsahl-Kostel Memorial Chapel of Menno is assisting the family with arrangements. Livestreaming of Calvin’s service can be viewed at https://server.attend.live/static/event/OYZ9N.

Calvin was born on a farm southwest of Menno to Ralph and Karine (Mauseth) Hagge on May 9, 1928. Calvin was the fifth of six children; however, only four made it to adulthood. Calvin attended county school at Eastview District 94, rural Menno. While Calvin enjoyed school, he attended only through 8th grade because his help was then expected on the family farm.

On Nov. 28, 1951 he was drafted into the army and served in South Korea as a telephone lineman until his discharge on October 23, 1953 having reached the rank of Corporal. He returned to Menno and farmed with his father on the home place along the James River.

He took over the family farm after his father’s death in 1957. He married Cornelia Mettler on June 19, 1960 a union to whom five children were born: Ralph, Mary, Karen, Nancy and Susan. His mother Karine continued to live with the family until moving into the care center. Karine passed away in 1982.

In February of 1998, Calvin and Cornelia retired from farming and moved into town. Cornelia passed away on June 28, 2001.

Calvin was an optimistic lifelong farmer who absolutely loved his work. He was also an active member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church of rural Menno. He remembered splitting field rocks to help build the church. Being a member of The Gideons International was important to Calvin. He loved God’s Word and spoke in area churches as well as distributed bibles to many hotels, hospitals, and schools.

In the fall of 2003, at the age of 75, Calvin traveled to Lagos, Nigeria with The Gideons to help distribute over 250,000 bibles. Calvin said this was one of the best experiences of his life, to share the Bible, talk about the gospel, and pray with people who believed the gospel. He most recently had been a member of Salem Reformed Church of Menno. On Feb. 15, 2004 he wed Alice Schmeichel in Sioux Falls, S.D. Alice passed away June 14, 2024.

Although retired from farming, he continued to farm by raising a very large garden and sharing his bounty with many people in town. Even after his eyesight began to fail, his garden continued to flourish and be weed free.

Calvin became a member of The Gideons International in the early 1970’s, which changed his life forever. He was a faithful member for over 50 years. He was a member of the American Legion and served on various church boards, The Farmers Union Coop, Soil Conservation, Scotland Hospital and the Menno-Olivet Care Center. Calvin helped raise money to build the nursing home. He was the last living member of the original board of directors.

Calvin moved into the Menno-Olivet Care Center in December 2021.

Calvin is survived by his children: Mary (William) Schoenfish, Menno; Karen (Kevin) Brasser, Paullina, Iowa; Nancy (Jeff) Hanka, Hermosa S.D.; and Susan (Dean) Fuerst, Huron, S.D.

Grandchildren: Audrey (Jason) Durfee, Vancouver, Wash.; Emily Hagge, Watertown S.D.; Abbey Hagge, Marion S.D.; Kari Schoenfish, Cassie (Ryan) Wielenga and Robert (Abby) Schoenfish, all of Menno; Ryan (Christine) Brasser, Larchwood Iowa; Erin (Loken) Vande Vegte, Oskaloosa, Iowa; Peyton (Delanie) Brasser, LeMars, Iowa; Janean Hanka, Brookings S.D; Alex Hanka, Rapid City, S.D; Natalie Hanka, Brookings; and Gavin Hanka, Rapid City; Sarah Fuerst, Brookings; Anna, Jacob, Andrew and Lydia Fuerst all of Huron.

Great grandchildren: Savanah, Valerie, Jensen and Lillian Wielenga, Cohen, Clayton and Witten Brasser, Benson Vande Vegte, with baby Vande Vegte arriving next year, and Shaylee Schoenfish.

He is also survived by nieces Linda (Doug) Schaeffer, Marlene (Mike) Bosworth and Julie Disselkamp, and nephews William Mitchell and David Schweinforth, and many other cousins who live in Norway.

He is preceded in death by his first wife Cornelia in 2001 and his second wife Alice in 2024; parents, Ralph and Karine Hagge, son Ralph G Hagge, granddaughters Rachel and Nichol Hanka, brother Bertram Hagge and sisters, Ruth, Cecile, and Agnes Hagge (in infancy) and Esther Schweinforth, parents-in-law Gideon and Adella Mettler, sisters-in-law Verna Hagge, Lula Hagge, and Carolyn Mitchell, brothers-in-law Clair Mitchell and Lloyd Schweinforth, and nephew Craig Mitchell.

Calvin will be remembered for his love for farming, his love for his family, and his love for his Savior, Jesus Christ. Calvin genuinely loved his neighbors and his community of Menno. Despite living in the same community his entire life, he impacted many around the world through his consistent and generous donations to organizations which care for those less fortunate.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Gideons International, PO Box 384, Yankton SD 57078 and the Menno-Olivet Care Center, 402 S Pine St, Menno SD 57045. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Tom Ulmer and other neighbors as well as the Menno-Olivet Care Center for their wonderful care.