Blanch Hagen

   Blanch Hagen, a longtime Park Rapids area resident, who at the age of 99 years, 9 months and 17 days, peacefully passed into eternity on Monday, May 2, 2016 at Diamond Willow Assisted Living in Park Rapids, MN surrounded by her loved ones.    Blanch was born July 15, 1916 in Union Grove Township of Meeker County, MN to Jacob and Julia (Atzl) Robbins.  Tragically, she lost both of her parents at a young age and her family was split up.  At the age of ten, Blanch moved to Crosby, ND to live with an aunt.  It was in the Crosby area that she grew into womanhood and met Hans Hagen.  The two were married October 17, 1936 in Crosby.  This union was blessed with seven children and in addition, Blanch raised ten step-children.  The family moved to Park Rapids in 1938 where she devoted herself to making a loving home for her husband and children.  Her amazing cooking will be long remembered by her family; who especially enjoyed her daily batch of fresh baked bread; homemade potato salad and Sauerkraut and ribs.  Blanch enjoyed the outdoors and looked forward to planting a large vegetable garden each spring to help meet the needs of her family.  She also worked right alongside her husband in the daily rigors of running a farm and working in the woods logging timber.    Blanch also worked as a seamstress at Munsingwear/Ringer Mfg. in Park Rapids.  Her life was deeply saddened by the death of her husband in 1963.  Later, she moved to Minneapolis where she worked for the Ball Corporation for twelve years making circuit boards until her retirement in 1978.  During her retirement years, Blanch enjoyed traveling and made trips to Texas, Oregon, California, South and North Dakota.  Blanch enjoyed doing handiwork when time allowed and crocheted countless Afghans for her loved ones. She also loved to grow African Violets.  Blanch worked hard her entire life and cared tirelessly for her large family and fell only two months short of the milestone of reaching her 100th birthday. A special memorial honors her family at the Park Rapids Veterans Memorial for all her sons and step-sons having served their country in the United States military something she was very proud of. She will be long remembered for her devotion to her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren who she loved with all her heart.    Blanch will be lovingly remembered by two sons: Stanley (Evelyn) of Park Rapids, MN, Willard (Cindy) of Braham, MN; four daughters: Verna Ronnebaum, Delores Holweg and Eva Hagen all of Park Rapids and Janice (Daniel) Engelen of Bemidji, MN; one daughter-in-law, Lorraine Hagen of Osage, MN; one step-son, Milo of Hemet, CA; two step-daughters: Thelma Decker of Litchfield, MN and Luella Schneider of Colorado Springs, Co; thirteen grandchildren, seventeen great grandchildren and fifteen great-great grandchildren; as well as numerous step grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.    She was preceded in death by her husband, Hans Hagen in 1963; son, Charles; five step-sons: Harry, Elmer, John, Duane and Floyd; two step-daughters: Evelyn and Josephine; one brother, Andrew; and six sisters: Eva, Delores, Beatrice, Bertha, Berdell and Thelma; and one granddaughter, Rhonda.    Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM Saturday, May 14, 2016 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids, MN with visitation beginning one hour prior to the service.  Casket bearers will be her grandsons: Samuel Ronnebaum, Russ Ronnebaum, Wayne Ronnebaum, Richard Ronnebaum, Phillip Larsen, Jr., Kenneth Hagen, Brent Hagen and Hans Hagen.  Honorary casket bearers will be her granddaughters: Rosemarie Craig, Shelly Hamblin, Joyce Lamb, Sheila Cordahl, Chantell Hagen and great granddaughter, Amanda Sharp.  Interment will be made at the Lake Emma Cemetery north of Park Rapids.  Following the service, a luncheon will be hosted by the American Legion Auxiliary. The family thanks the staff at Diamond Willow for the wonderful care Blanch received while she was a resident there.  To leave online condolences or to view the video tribute please visit www.jonespearson.com