During the early morning of February 13, 2013, Charlotte Hagen, 84, made her final trail ride to meet the Lord at the gates of heaven. Charlotte was born on Christmas day in 1928, as the 2nd child to Charles Harold and Edith Lawrencia (Backburg) Ohman in Deer Creek, Minnesota. She joined her older brother Wallace Ronald (1927) and was later joined by Gerald Allen in 1930 and Phyllis Mae in 1938. Charlotte grew up and worked the family ranch at Deer Creek, Minnesota. She graduated from Deer Creek High School in the class of 1946.
She graduated from Moorhead State College with a teaching degree in 1948. She was a teacher at a small school in Henning, Minnesota. This led to her meeting the love of her life, Melvin Hagen, who had just returned from the Army in 1948 after serving in Japan. They were married on September 3, 1948 and have spent 64 years as best friends and devoted husband and wife. Charlotte will be deeply missed by Melvin.
Charlotte & Melvin moved to East Helena in 1949 when Melvin started working at the Asarco smelter in East Helena. Their oldest son Wayne Allen was born in Minnesota prior to moving to East Helena. In the next few years Steven Douglas and Craig Melvin were born. As the boys were growing up, the family enjoyed camping and many other family activities in Montana. They moved into Helena in 1968 and lived there until their retirement. During the years in the Helena area, Charlotte worked various jobs as a bookkeeper including AT&T, Power Townsend and Eddy’s Bakery. From 1968 to 1988 she worked for the federal government for the crop and livestock reporting service (USDA, SRS). She retired December 30, 1988.
Charlotte and Melvin built and enjoyed their log cabin in the woods of Lincoln. This was their dream and they lived it. They enjoyed camping, four wheeling, playing holy board and potlucks with their many friends, most of all, they enjoyed snowmobiling. They had a sign on their back door that read “If we’re not at home, check the trails”. Upon retirement they made the Lincoln cabin their permanent home. Charlotte devoted 25 years to the Ponderosa Snow Warriors club in Lincoln. She was president (1996-1999); vice-president (1993-1996 and 1999-2001); board member and managed the clubhouse and many more snowmobile club duties. She and Melvin were selected as the MSA (Montana Snowmobile Association) family of the year. She was also active in the Lincoln Community United Methodist Church and served as a board member for a number of years and enjoyed sewing with the Marty Martha Ladies group of the church.
Charlotte loved her family, especially her husband, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and grandchildren Ruben and John. Survivors include her husband of 64 years, Melvin; siblings Gerald (Vera) Ohman, Wally (Agnes) Ohman, and Phyllis (Jim) Carpenter; son Wayne (Judy) and his children Jimmi, Joy and Joe; son Steven (Liz) and his children Lydia, Kevin, Rachael, and Dinell; and son Craig and his children Mel, Sonja and Chad. Her sons’ marriages gave her the joy of 15 great grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Wednesday, February, 20, 2013 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. A funeral service will begin at noon at the funeral home. Burial will follow the funeral service at Sunset Memorial Gardens and reception will take place following the burial in the social hall back at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers the family will be accepting memorials which they will distribute to Charlotte’s charities of choice. Memorials can be mailed to Box 425, Lincoln, MT 59639.
Service Schedule
Visitation
9:00 am to 12:00 p.m.
Wednesday February 20, 2013
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Service
12:00 p.m.
Wednesday February 20, 2013
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, MT 59602
Burial
Following the Funeral Service
Wednesday February 20, 2013
Sunset Memorial Gardens
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the Burial
Wednesday February 20, 2013
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Visitation
9:00 am to 12:00 p.m.
Wednesday February 20, 2013
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Service
12:00 p.m.
Wednesday February 20, 2013
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, MT 59602
Burial
Following the Funeral Service
Wednesday February 20, 2013
Sunset Memorial Gardens
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the Burial
Wednesday February 20, 2013
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
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Tim Clavin says
Craig, Steve and family,
So sorry to hear about your Mom. I haven’t seen her in years but I remember her as a very nice person. Please take care.
Tim
Jim & Judy Bauch says
Char was a sweet, generous and kind lady who always had a smile on her face. She and Mel taught us how to snowmobile the Lincoln area in the early 90’s and we covered a lot of miles. I (Jim) saw her at the last PSW pancake breakfast and as usual, she was smiling and laughing. We will never forget her boisterous laugh/giggle!! Jim & Judy
bob johnson says
Craig-Mel-Family . WE were sorry to hear that Charlotte passed away.She is a fine ,kind lady that will surely be missed by everyone. Our short time knowing her gave us grear pleasure. Bob/Chris. neighbors
Barb Peterson says
Uncle Melvin, Craig, Wayne, and Steve, And all other family and friends. My Heartfelt Thoughts and prayers to you in your time of sorrow! Aunt Charlotte will always hold a special place in my heart. So many memories! she always remembered my birthday, and other Holidays.The Christmas’ in Lincoln, stopping by for a quick visit as we passed thru, As a child many of my greatest memories center around times spent with the Hagen family. Thinking about you! Sending Uncle Mel a Big hug from me !!
Diana Dwyer says
To Uncle Mel, Craig, Steve, Wayne, and famiy,
My aunt Char was the greatest! She was a young version of a second Grandma to me and my siblings. She was such a blessing! She has an extra special place in my heart as her love of fiber arts was an inspiration for my own passion in sewing, etc. She was one talented lady!
In sympathy,
Diana
Janine Michelotti says
To Uncle Mel ,Wayne, Steve, Craig, and family
Aunt Charlotte was such a special lady ,and such a big part of my life. She has always been there for my Mom, I know Mom could not have asked for a better sister. She has been at almost all the Carpenter family events, ready and willing to do any work that was necessary. She never missed a birthday, or holiday card. I have so many wonderful memories of times that were spent in Lincoln and Helena with Aunt Char and Uncle Mel that I could go on for hours. She will be missed very much. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Love always
Janine
Darla & Ray Trudel says
To Melvin & family,
Our deepest sympathy to you at this time, know that she is free of pain now & resting in the Lords arms, we will all miss her & her smile. We had the good fortune to meet Charlotte & Melvin many years ago thru their loved sport of snowmobiling & have many good memories of the fun times riding in Lincoln, Island Park & many other places, what great times we had. Charlotte was a wonderful, loving person who always made us so welcome at her home. We will miss her. May she rest in peace & may the Lord bring comfort to you Melvin & the family.
Marjorie Haglund / Diane Tetens says
To Melvin and Family,
My mom Marg was very sorry to hear about Charlotte. Charlotte was her favorite cousin and remembers well the fun they used to have as children. We are glad we had a chance to see her a few years ago which now only seems like yesterday. You are all in our prayers. May Charlotte rest in peace. May God bless you and your family.
Marilyn Kelly-Clark & Dennis Clark says
Craig & Family,
So sorry to read of your Mom’s passing. Been a long time seeing you, but did want you to know we’re thinking of you; have you in our thoughts & prayers.
Take care,
Marilyn & Dennis
Kristi Doggett Gersch says
I was so sorry to hear about Char. I remember growing up with the Wayne, Steve and Craig, my sister JoAnn and the “other” Hagen girls, Elone, Renae, Roberta and Debbie. Char and Mel, Reuben and Marien and my mom and dad, Joe and Donna Doggett were good friends for many, many years. I had the privelege of being up to Lincoln with my mom one time at a reunion and got to meet Wayne, Steve and Craig again as adults with their own families. Char and I kept in touch with each other through Christmas cards up until just last year. May the many happy memories keep you all company in the absence of a wonderful woman who always had a smile on her face. Say hi to my mom and dad for me, Char.
JoAnn Etzwiler Harris says
What a wonderful family friend she was. I have many great memories of our gatherings at the cabin. She was so good at keeping in touch through the years.. I am blessed with her parts in my life.
Mike and Mary K Hagen says
Wayne, Steve, Craig and Melvin, Our thoughts and prayers go to you and all your family’s in the passing of Char. Many fond memories we have spending time with Charlotte and Melvin. Snowmobile on Charlotte!