Duane Oliver Hagen, 80
Daily Inter-Lake | UPDATED 8 months, 3 weeks AGO
Duane "Festus" Oliver Hagen passed away at his home due to natural causes July 17, 2025. He was born June 1, 1945, to Oliver and Ina Hagen in Henning, Minnesota. Duane came to Montana in 1961 at the age of 16 to live with his Uncle Gaylord in Glasgow.
Duane was drafted into the Army in 1965 and served as a firefighter in the Corps of Engineers. He was stationed in California until he was honorably discharged in 1967. After leaving the military he moved to Columbia Falls, where he would meet the love of his life, Carol Jean Rowe Hagen.
Duane and Carol were married April 10, 1970. They went on to have their first child Sam, July 30, 1970, and then two girls, Jennifer, Dec. 16, 1975, and Kelci, March 9, 1982.
Duane worked as a welder for all of the sawmills in the Flathead Valley but finally went to work at the Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. in the late 70's. He worked there for many years and when it closed, he went to work at the Red Lion Hotel which he eventually retired from. After his retirement from work, he joined the American Legion Freedom Post No. 72 in Columbia Falls. He enjoyed participating in the parades—where he carried the flags—and doing any other volunteering that they did in the community.
Duane was an avid fisherman, spending many weekends on Echo Lake with his family. Retrieving many lures off the shores or snagged for his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He had also bowled for many years on many leagues. His greatest joy was his family, especially his grandkids and great-grandkids. For his 80th birthday recently, his entire family was with him, and it was one of the greatest moments for him.
Duane was preceded in death by his wife of 40 years, Carol Jean Hagen, his parents, Oliver and Ina Hagen, his brothers, Randy and Danny Hagen and his sister, Joan Hagen.
He is survived by his three children, Sam (Shari) Hagen, Jennifer (Michael) Davis and Kelci Hagen; his grandchildren, Christian and Haley Hagen, Emily and Katelyn Davis, Trinity (Kyle) Reynolds and Alaric Warf; two great-grandkids, Nolan and Waylon Reynolds; two sisters, Darlene (Donnie) Masters and Patty Hagen; one brother, Pete Hagen and numerous nieces and nephews.
A viewing will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, July 24 at Columbia Mortuary, 1010 Fourth Ave. W., Columbia Falls, MT 59912. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 25 at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 401 Seventh St. W., Columbia Falls, MT 59912. With interment to follow at Fairview Cemetery, 1225 Fairview Cemetery Road, Columbia Falls, MT 59912. To send online condolences, please visit www.columbiamortuary.com.