Keith Hagen, 67

Keith Gordon Hagen, 67, passed away on July 27, at Logan Health Medical Center in Kalispell, surrounded by the love of his family. 

He was born on January 26, 1959, in Wolf Point, Montana, to Kerel and Maripat (Nerlin) Hagen. He was welcomed home by his proud older brother, Mark, and later by his two younger sisters, Ladona and Karla. His parents were educators leading to moves from Wolf Point, Billings, and Columbia Falls before the family finally settled in the Flathead Valley in 1963. That final move became home, where Keith spent his childhood surrounded by the beauty of northwest Montana.

Keith and Mark were active boys who frequently found themselves in mischief. Keith usually dreamed up their next scheme, while Mark enthusiastically helped bring those plans to life. The family lived on a 40-acre hobby farm at the base of Columbia Mountain, complete with a creek, cows, and horses—the ultimate playground for two adventurous brothers. Summers kept the boys especially busy working the land, from building and repairing fences and haying on the home place and additional leased ground. Keith cherished the time he spent with his siblings and cousins. Together they played all kinds of sports, playing in the woods, and created lasting memories while celebrating holidays together. 

Keith found great joy in the outdoors. An avid hunter, he treasured time spent in Montana's mountains and fields, whether in pursuit of game or simply taking in the beauty of nature. He also loved riding horses in the backcountry with his family in Glacier National Park and the South Fork. 

On April 4, 1968, at just nine years old, Keith was diagnosed with Type 1 juvenile diabetes. He accepted his new reality with remarkable courage and resilience, rarely complaining and facing each day with a quiet determination that inspired those around him.

A natural student, Keith excelled academically and was involved in the Speech & Debate Team, Youth Legislature, Boys State, National Honor Society, Student Rep and Class Officer during high school. He also proudly played football for the Columbia Falls Wildcats, cherishing the games and the lifelong friendships he built on the field. Known as the witty one in the family, Keith possessed a quick sense of humor and a knack for delivering perfectly timed one-liners that brought smiles to everyone around him.

After graduating from Columbia Falls High School in 1977, Keith headed to Montana State University in Bozeman, where he proudly became a lifelong Bobcat. He graduated in the spring of 1981 with a bachelor’s degree in political science and a minor in Business. He became a devoted Montana State Bobcat fan, and his Bobcat pride was unmistakable.

In 1987, he found his professional home with Sherwin-Williams in Kalispell, eventually earning management roles in Great Falls and Bozeman before taking on a commercial accounts position in Billings in 1998. Sherwin-Williams was where he built a career defined by integrity, a strong work ethic, and a genuine care for others.

Keith met Christy Channel at a Christmas party, and the two were married on May 25, 1996, in Bigfork. On September 22, 1999, they welcomed their daughter, Taylor Marie, who instantly became the absolute light of his life. Though Keith and Christy later divorced, they remained good friends, united in their shared love and commitment to Taylor.

In his final years, Keith faced Parkinson's disease with the same grace, dignity, and resilience that defined his entire life, never losing his kind spirit or quick wit. 

He is survived by his beloved daughter, Taylor Hagen, and her fiancé, Eric Garrison, of Missoula; Christy Channel of Missoula, his siblings, Mark (Beth) Hagen of Trout Creek, Ladona (Wes) Fopma of Sioux Center, Iowa, and Karla Hagen of Kalispell; his half-brother, Dennis (Jean) Heppner of Great Falls; his nephews, Kevin (Makenna) Fopma of Parker, Colo., and Kyle Fopma of Minneapolis, Minn.; his cherished great-nephew, Luke Fopma, with another great-nephew eagerly expected this fall; his nephew, Scott Heppner and his son, Brody, of Cheyenne, Wyo.. his niece, Staci (Shane) Griffin and their children, Hunter and Brooklyn, of Great Falls. 

Keith is further survived by his aunts and uncles: Clariss Hagen and Mary Ann Hagen, both of Columbia Falls; Val (Joe) Hillers of Coupeville, Wash.; Jim (Peggy) Nerlin of Montrose, Colo.; and Lynn (Duane) Whitmer of Cody, Wyo. He also leaves behind his dear friend, Karla Kershner Shaw, many special friends, his cousins, extended family members, and colleagues whose lives were enriched by his kindness, humor, and friendship. Though he will be deeply missed, the memories he created and the love he shared will remain in the hearts of all who knew him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Kerel and Maripat (Nerlin) Hagen; his paternal grandparents, Carl Hagen and Ella (Norman) Hagen Jensen; and his maternal grandparents, Andy and Flora (Fitzpatrick) Nerlin. Also, his aunts and uncles, Guy and Inez Ault, Chester and Phyllis Hagen, Dean Hagen, Norman Hagen, Junior and Karen Nerlin, Dale Nerlin; and his cousins, Curtis Hagen, Judy Hagen Coulter and Julie Hillers. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts go to Columbia Falls Wildcat Athletic Endowment Association (WAEA) PO Box 2732 Columbia Falls, MT 59912 or Breakthrough T1D formerly Juvenile Diabetics Research Foundation (JDRF), 200 Vesey Street, 28th Floor, New York, NY 10821.

Please join us in celebrating Keith's amazing life on Saturday, August 29, 2026, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Silver Bullet. A brief memorial program will begin at 4:00 p.m. Silver Bullet 1700 Montana Highway 206 Columbia Falls, MT

We invite you to come share memories, laughter, and stories as we honor Keith's life and the joy he brought to so many.