Rev. Gordon W. Hagberg

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Hagberg, Rev. Gordon W. Passed away at his Minnesota home in Tonka Bay, Dec. 14, 2005, of heart disease. Born 87 years ago on a farm near Nemadji and Moose Lake, Minnesota. Rev. Hagberg helped his father farm with horse and plow, witnessing hardship and country living during the Depression, attended one-room grade schools in Iowa and Minnesota, graduating salutatorian from Redwood Falls High School, worked his way through college graduating from Drake University with a B.A. 1941, graduated with degree in Master of Divinity 4 year program, from the Univ. of Chicago Seminary, 1948; ordained in the Disciples of Christ denomination, June, 1944. Serving in pastorates until retirement in 1983 and interim ministries as follows: student minister in Iowa churches including Earlham, Iowa, 1938, Madison Chapel Church of Christ, near Grinnell; internship in Niles, Ohio, 1943, pastorates in: Waukegan Christian Church, Waukegan, Illinois, 1944-46; Estherville Christian Church, Estherville, Iowa, 1946-1950; Minnehaha Christian Church, Minneapolis, 1950-56; Massillon Christian Church, Massillon, Ohio, 1956-60, where he conducted a building campaign and oversaw dedication of a new church, designing furniture for altar; served as Associate Pastor for the Ohio Society of Christian Churches (now "Christian Church in Ohio"), ministering to churches throughout Ohio, 1960-66, but missing the local pastorate, returned to serve Franklin Circle Christian Church, 1967-74, an inner-city historic church during a turbulent era; First Christian Church of Zanesville, Ohio (1974 –83); post-retirement, served interim ministries in Ohio and Brownsville, Texas; preached locally from time to time at First Christian Church, Mpls, through 2003. In addition, he served on the boards of various Councils of Churches, president of the Minnesota Christian Missionary Society, Vice Pres. of the Iowa Convention of Christian Churches, participated in national and state-wide denominational work; summer church camp director in MN and Camp Christian, Magnetic Springs, Ohio, on Council on Christian Unity, past officer, board member of and active in many organizations including Stark County Mental Health Association and the Massillon Urban League, University of Minnesota Council of Religious Advisors, Y.M.C.A., Kiwanis and others, particularly relating to Christian education and interfaith cooperation and development. Most recent volunteer work includes Treasurer and Board Member for Happy Workers, providing quality preschool for inner city children in St. Petersburg, FL; active with his loving second wife, Anne, in ASPEC of Eckert College and the First Presbyterian Church of St. Petersburg for the past 15 years, voracious reader of news, biographies, religion, and history; having a love of music, member of Drake A Capella Choir, directed Waukegan-North Chicago A Capella choir, with a keen photographic eye, making personal projects in the 1950's and 1960's photographing covered bridges and county court houses then extant throughout Ohio. He became a chronicler of family news and history extending from his grandparents' emigration from Europe, a proud and loving grandfather, husband and father. Donations suggested in lieu of flowers: to Gordon W. and Ruth C. Hagberg Permanent Fund, Christian Church Foundation. Preceded in death by his first wife, Ruth C. Hagberg, who died in 1990; they married in 1945; together they served many churches and communities in a variety of roles until his retirement; as a couple they served pastorates in the tradition of their generation and she volunteered many talents, including being an accomplished organist and pianist; also preceded in death by his parents, Abraham and Caroline, and sister, Helen Powers. Survived by his second wife of 15 years, his devoted wife Anne Hoerner of St. Petersburg, Florida, brother, Clayton Hagberg, of Spirit Lake, Iowa, daughter Frances Graham, of Orono, sons Robert Hagberg of Buffalo, and Carlton Hagberg of Orono; step-son, Wynn Hoerner of Asheville, NC, and son- and daughters-in-law: Robert J. Gumnit, MD, Susan Hagberg, Marie Hoerner Hagberg, and Colleen Hoerner; seven grandchildren —including 3 by his second marriage. Funeral services 11 am Monday at First Christian Church, 2201 First Ave S. Interment Lakewood Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday (TODAY) 4-8 pm at Gearty Delmore Park Chapel, Wooddale at Excelsior Blvd, St. Louis Park, and again one hour prior to the service Monday. Gearty Delmore Park 952-926-1615

Published on December 16, 2005