Rita Hagen

Obituary for Rita V. Hagen

Rita Hagen, age 93, passed away peacefully Friday, June 8, 2018 at 5:38 a.m. at Timber Creek Village in Columbia Falls. Services will be held at Buffalo Hills Funeral Home in Kalispell on Friday, June 15, 2018 at 10 a.m. with graveside services following at Conrad Memorial Cemetery.

Rita Veronica (Kok) Hagen was born March 31, 1925 near Plaza, ND to Barbara (Thuringer) Kok and Louis Kok. Rita was the fourth born of eight children and grew up on the family farm. She left home at age 14 to attend High School in Minot, ND at St. Leo’s. Immediately after High School, Rita and her sister Dorothy (Kok) Senner jumped on the train to work in the ship yards as “Rosy the Riveter” welders in Seattle.

Later in life, she met and married Donald K. Hagen in October, 1957 and the couple made their home in Great Falls. They were blessed with one son, Timothy Donald Hagen, in August 1959. Rita and Don owned and operated Great Falls Mr. Klean for ­­35 years. Following retirement the couple moved to Kalispell and remained here for the rest of their lives.

Rita is preceded in death by her mother and father, Barbara and Louis Kok, her husband of 55 years, Donald K. Hagen, her brothers, John, Al and Ray Kok and her sisters, Dorothy (Kok) Senner and Genevieve (Kok) Toole.

She is survived by her son, Timothy (Bev) Hagen from Havre, MT, grandchildren, Ashley (Darin) Pankratz from Richland, MT and Jordan Hagen from Havre, MT as well as three great grandchildren, Hannah, Gavin and Kash Pankratz and two siblings, Margaret “Marge” (Kok) Keith from Columbia Falls and Robert (Nita) Kok from Plaza, ND.

Being from a large family, Rita has many special nieces, nephews and people in her life that she leaves behind. Rita had a love for kids, laughter, card games and fun. Any desired donations should be to any organization that makes a positive impact on kids.

Friends are encouraged to visit www.buffalohillfh.com to leave notes of condolences for the family. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.