Services for Linda Hagen
Thu, 03/14/2024 - 4:41pm
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Linda Hagen, age 71, was called home to be with the Lord on March 8, 2024.
Linda Diane Browne was born to William K. and Geraldine Mae (Newman) Browne on 24, June 1952, in Poughkeepsie, NY. She lived with her parents in Fishkill, until around the age of 4, when she and her brothers were placed in the Children’s Home of Poughkeepsie, after the death of their mother. While she moved around from home to home, looking for the right one, she was finally placed in the home of George B. and Mary E. “Betty” Hamilton of Hopewell Junction, NY, where she lived until adulthood. During this time, she gained a brother, James Hamilton. In 1970, Linda married George Eakett and this union produced a son, David.
Linda enlisted in the Women’s Army Corp (WAC) on April 22, 1975. She served as a food service specialist in the hospital at West Point, NY, for three years ending in an honorable discharge. After which, she went on to earn her degree from the University of Toledo in Criminal Justice. Following graduation, Linda worked as a probation officer in Toledo for a couple of years, but thought it was safer to return to the Army as a tank mechanic. After a three years tour of duty in Karlsruhe, Germany, Linda reported in at Fort Campbell, KY. While there, she deployed to Egypt in support of Operation Bright Star. Fort Campbell is also where she met and married Duane Hagen, on Friday the 13th of March, 1987. While stationed there, she gave birth to Joshua, their first son together. One week after he was born, Duane was ordered to Germany, where she and the baby followed shortly thereafter. Although being assigned to the same Division they worked 60 miles apart. When living in Germany, Linda gave birth to their second son, George. A year later, Desert Storm/Shield was ramping up and while the Division deployed, she was chosen as the Noncommissioned Officer to lead the 1st Armored Divisions 2nd Brigade Rear Detachment. During Desert Storm/Shield, Linda was responsible for over 3000 families, 400 soldiers, and 20 million worth of equipment and facilities, a job which she performed flawlessly. This was by far the most challenging job of her military career. Moving back to the US, Linda found herself assigned to Fort Hood, TX, where she tirelessly trained hundreds of soldiers on common soldier tasks, safe range operations, convoy procedures, and field craft. She really loved training away from the flagpole. It is here that Linda retired on 31, August 1995. Her awards and decorations include the Army Commendation Medal (5) Army Achievement Medal (3) Army Good Conduct Medal (5) Overseas Service Ribbon (2) Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development (3).
After retiring from the Army, Linda opened her home to daycare. She felt it was lots of fun to watch someone else’s kids when they could go home at night. She really enjoyed caring for the children and they truly left an everlasting mark on her heart. Next, Linda worked for the Saint Thomas Food Program. She inspected daycare facilities in a 100-mile radius to ensure the government standard for nutritional needs were being met for the kids. Not being one to sit back and wait for things to happen, while Duane was assigned to Egypt, Linda cashed in both of their IRA’s and had a restaurant built from the ground up. 2Mom’s Diner was her pride and joy. It was 50’s style east coast diner that made some the best breakfast, burgers, cold sandwiches and Friday night specials in the area. It was also a favorite hangout on the back patio for private parties and gatherings, where many good memories were made. In December 2012, after living in Killeen, TX, for 21 years, Linda sold her dream and everything they owned to pursue her husband’s dream to move back home to Minnesota. They found a small farm just outside of Fosston, MN and made it their home. Although Linda enjoyed crafting and card making, watching her family and grandkids grow was most important. Regardless of how she felt, when the grandkids stopped by for a visit her whole world lit up. While Linda hated the Minnesota winters and snow, the magic of Christmas was her most favorite time of the year. Linda loved to go to Church, especially during the Christmas season when the music and the Christmas story filled her heart with joy. Giving was definitely Linda’s “thing” and she always went overboard for the kids and grandkids. In the summer months, she loved spending time on the deck, looking at the flowers and watching the hummingbird’s fights, while reading her bible where the light was just right. Linda enjoyed her dogs and even allowed baby goats to come in the house for a visit each spring. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends. May God rest her soul.
Linda was preceded in death by her parents, William and Geraldine Browne; her foster parents, George and Mary Hamiliton; and two brothers, Billly and Martin Browne.
She is survived by her husband of 37 years, Duane Hagen of Fosston; three sons and five grandchildren: David Eakett, Oscar and Sylvia of Akron, OH, Josh Hagen, Michelle and Charlie of Winger, MN, and George Hagen, Jeremiah and Jackson of McIntosh, MN; her favorite uncle, Butch Browne and his wife, Cookie, of Poughkeepsie, NY; and her foster brother, James Hamiliton, Stephanie, Daniel and Partick of Forest, VA.
Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 pm on Friday, March 22, 2024, at Dovre Free Lutheran Church, Winger, MN. Burial, with Military Honors, will take place at Union Lake Cemetery, rural Winger.
Please feel free to sign the guestbook, send condolences and view other opportunities which may be available on the website.
Arrangements entrusted to Anderson Family
Funeral Home of Mahnomen. www.andersonfamilyfh.com
