Ronald A. Hagen, of Rice Lake, Wis., passed away peacefully in his home on Monday, February 15, 2021.

Ron was born on April 1, 1947 in Crookston, Minn. to Veril and Gloria (Ryan) Hagen. Upon high school graduation, he proudly served as a member of the United States Air Force. After his honorable discharge, he met and married the love of his life, Mary Determan, on June 5, 1970. Throughout their lives together Ron and Mary made their homes in West Fargo, N.D., Columbus, Neb., Goodland, Kan., Pelican Rapids, and finally in Rice Lake, Wis.

Ron’s large personality and love of life had an impact on so many people while living in Rice Lake. He was an instructor at WITC for about 24 years, teaching traditional and non-traditional students, the art of Telecommunications (Telephone Installation and Repair). He loved the outdoors, especially golf and hunting. Ron served on the Board of Directors for Rolling Oaks Gold Course in Barron, Wis. where he scored a hole in one on Sept. 12, 2012.

Some of Ron’s most memorable moments came during his 31 years of coaching many of the basketball players who developed through the Rice Lake system. A few of his proudest accomplishments were winning the championship in both boys’ and girls’ City League in the same year, receiving Coach of the Year while coaching for the UW-Baron County Women’s basketball team, taking his summer traveling team (the Comets) to the Badger State Games and coaching his own children and so many others who became “his kids.”