Memorial services for Leslie A. Hagen of Joplin, Mo., formerly of New Richland, will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 13, 2013, at Trinity Lutheran Church in New Richland. The Rev. Paul Andree will officiate. Friends may greet the family one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in St Olaf Cemetery, New Richland.

Leslie died Dec. 22, 2012, in his motor home while traveling from Joplin, Mo., where he resided since his retirement.

Leslie was born in New Richland, where he grew up. After serving in the U.S. Army, he wed Gladys Schroeder from Owatonna and resided in Owatonna, where he built a new home and had his own rendering truck. He then moved back to New Richland and purchased his father’s farm on the west side of New Richland. He farmed for several years and drove semi for Tipton Trucking and Shurson Trucking. He put his own truck on the pea viner and did custom corn picking, but was most known for driving school bus which he loved for many years. He and his wife also owned an Old Time band called the “Hagen’s Merrymakers” and at one time owned a bar/supper club in Glenville.

After his wife Gladys passed away, he did more traveling in his motor home or fifth wheel and decided to retire first in Arkansas then Missouri. He last lived on acreage in Joplin.

Leslie is survived by his daughter Ione Lentz and significant other Ken Waldemar of the Villages, Fla., and her two children Todd Lentz of Rochester, and Angela Kranz and her husband Jason of Oxford, Fla. Sons Jerry Hagen and wife Linda of Joplin, (purchased their home from Leslie) and his daughter, Jennifer Kirchen, of Apple Valley, Johnny Hagen and his son, Timothy Hagen, of New Richland. Johnny purchased Leslie’s farm on the west side of town.

Leslie also leaves his brother’s children Neoma Johansen and Lavonne Hagen both of New Richland, Ordwin Hagen, Gary Hagen, Donnie Hagen, and Randy Hagen; sister-in-law, Dorothy Neumann, of New Richland and daughter Patricia. One brother-in-law Glen Schroeder and spouses of two other brothers-in-law Pat Schroeder and Bev Schroeder.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Gladys, baby son, Ricky, brothers, Orland, Jasper and Clayton, grandchildren, Rosie and infant Jeremy, and son-in-law Michael along with several brothers and sister-in-laws and spouses and several grandchildren.

Leslie was blessed with four children, six grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. He would have celebrated his 90 birthday on Jan. 13.