After recently celebrating his 96th birthday, our dedicated, loving, hardworking, and wonderful dad, Donald Lloyd Hagen, went home to be with his Savior, Jesus Christ, on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. While our hearts are heavy with loss, we find comfort in knowing that he is now joyfully reunited with our sweet mom and other cherished family members. As we picture dad in heaven, we are sure he is already busy landscaping celestial grounds and pointing out the perfect spots for a corner planting – just as he always did here on earth.

Donald Lloyd Hagen was born at home in Sisseton, South Dakota, on April 6, 1930, to Edwin Hagen, Sr., and Palmina (Palm) Hagen, arriving as a whopping 10-pound bundle of joy. Growing up in Sisseton with his parents and six siblings, he spent hours raising pigeons, working alongside his dad and brothers on the farm, and helping at the family business, Hagen Brothers Garage. He graduated from Sisseton High School in 1948, where he was honored as homecoming king, a testament to the warmth and respect he inspired.

After graduation, his adventures continued with two years in the Marine Corps at Camp Pendleton, CA, where he was a member of the Marine Corps track team. While at Camp Pendleton, he also tried his hand at boxing. Ever resourceful and outgoing, he would hitchhike to Los Angeles during furloughs to visit one of his favorite aunts and cousins. His military service was a source of pride for him, and he carried the honor of being a U.S. Marine veteran throughout his life.

When dad returned from his military service, a beautiful chapter began as he met our mom at a dance, and from that moment, romance blossomed. Their love story led to marriage on August 8, 1954, and together, they built a loving home, raising seven children.

Dad truly cherished spending time with us—teaching us how to play sports, engaging in playful roughhousing, indulging our requests to buy animals of all shapes and sizes, and proudly cheering us on at our athletic events. He was always our biggest supporter, and it was clear how proud he was of our accomplishments.

Professionally, dad dedicated himself to meaningful work, contributing to the South Dakota Department of Transportation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs on conservation and road construction projects. He played a key role as an engineer in building many of the highways across our state. His passion for horticulture led him to start a small landscaping business, which he enjoyed immensely.

Dad was known for his tireless work ethic, often taking on extra jobs to provide for his family. He loved the outdoors, whether he was hunting, fishing, landscaping, or simply spending time in nature.

We are truly blessed to have had dad in our lives. Cherishing his memory are his daughters, Pami Erickson (Denny) and Mary Tynan, and sons Randy (Betty), Robin (Erin), David (Sheila), Scott (Tiffany), and James. Also grateful for his legacy are his 18 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. In heaven, he will join his loving wife, Vicky, and many other family members. He is also survived by his younger brother, Fred, of Ainsworth, Nebraska, as well as many loving nieces and nephews with whom he enjoyed family Christmases and summers at the Hagen Family cabin at Clear Lake.

The most important decision our dad ever made was to repent of his sins and to accept Jesus Christ into his heart and life as his Savior in the spring of 1978. He loved to share his faith in Christ boldly. Romans 10: 9-10 was a favorite Bible passage of his: "For if you tell others with your own mouth that Jesus Christ is your Lord and believe in your own heart that God has raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in his heart that a man becomes right with God; and with his mouth he tells others of his faith, confirming his salvation." Our dad's greatest desire would be for those reading this obituary to accept Christ as their Savior.

Despite the challenges that came his way, our dad remained steadfast, never abandoning his faith. Just as the Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 4:7-8 as he faced his own death, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith," our dad kept the faith and ran his race with perseverance and honor. We are incredibly grateful and proud of the example he set for all of us. His devotion, integrity, and faithfulness stood out in everything he did, and we will do our best to walk in his footsteps, striving to reflect the same godly values in our own lives. We eagerly anticipate the day when we will be reunited with him and mom once again.

Visitation and reminiscing will be from 10:00 am to noon on Friday, April 24, 2026, at Miller Funeral Home chapel, 507 South Main Avenue, Sioux Falls. Family will be present to greet friends and relatives. A short service, military rites, and burial will be at 1:00 pm at the South Dakota State Veterans Cemetery, 25965 477th Avenue, Sioux Falls.