Obit: Hagen, Sandra Arlene (1946 - 2012)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Hagen, Elkins, Gibson, Moss, Boardman, Chittister, Wilkinson, Doty,

----Source: Thorp Courier (Thorp, Clark Co., WI) 6/27/2012

Hagen, Sandra Arlene (1946 - June 2012)

Sandra Arlene (Elkins) Hagen was one of the most beautiful, wonderful women any of us have ever known. We could aspire to be like her or even try to follow her path, but we will never be as strong, as talented, and as persuasive as she was. Her eye for color was unsurpassed, her ear for music beyond hearing. She was a pianist, singer, actress, dancer and organist; above all else, Sandra was a participant. Never a spectator, she was actively involved in music, business and social causes. Her faith was in the music and sacred texts that filled her extra hours.

Sandra’s sense of style was apparent in her home remodeling, her gardens and her impeccable daily dress. Jewelry and make-up were pale beside her natural beauty and grace. A smile that would light any room with another person or several hundred people present was her greatest asset.

Sandra was born in 1946, in Thorp, WI; she attended Thorp schools and the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. Her father was the publisher of The Thorp Courier, and he served on the University Of Wisconsin Board Of Regents. Sandra lived in many places but always considered Wisconsin her home. She was the first female District Sales Manager, New York American Motors. She worked with the Wisconsin Lottery and was a sales rep for Liberty, Inc. dealing with banks and credit unions in Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. “Never take ‘no’ for an answer” was her key to success as a salesperson. “Hit the ground running because it could all change in a minute” was her personal credo.

Singing and gardening were among her passions. She sang with church choirs, was a church organist and choir director; she played the baritone horn and piano. Sandra appeared in several St. Norbert Musical Theater productions; she sang in the Birder Chorale, the Pamiro Opera, Green Bay Choral Artists, Scola d’Arezzo, First United Methodist Church Sanctuary Choir and Heritage Players. She was on the Board of Directors of the Civic Symphony of Green Bay and an active member of the Immigration Action Network. She served on the FUMC Worship Committee for many years, while in charge of all the decorations in the sanctuary; she often gathered flowers and fauna from her own garden and from the gardens of friends. Blooming at all times in summer and even in fall, her gardens were and are spectacular.

Sandra and Charlie were married in April of 1995 at Melnik Presbyterian Church, Melnik, WI, by the Rev. Karen Doty. For many years they have been members of the First United Methodist Church of Green Bay. Sandra and Charlie both found God in music; singing together was their form of worship.

Sandra is survived by her husband, Charles Hagen; and her mother, Shirley Elkins of Florida and Wisconsin. She is further survived by Charlie’s daughter, Ann (Rob Gibson (Hagen; and their children: Lucy and Oswald Gibson of Richfield, MN; Charlie’s son, William (Michel) Hagen of Raleigh, NC; Sandra’s brothers: Robert (Mary) Elkins, Phillips, WI, and Michael (Jessie) and their children Adam and Eric of Eau Claire, WI. She will be missed by her family and fiends including Marshall and Elaine Moss and John and Sheila Boardman.

She was predeceased by her father, Robert Elkins of Thorp, WI.

“Celebrate the moments that you had the thing you love. Something else is coming. God has prepared for you a holy place. Be ready to move into that place when you have completed the marvelous celebration of what you have been given to this point. And then trust the next step. It’s coming. It’s yours. It is already created for you. All you have to do is say thank you for where you have been and thank you for where you’re going.” Sr. Joan Chittister

Friends and family gathered at First United Methodist Church, 501 Howe Street, Green Bay, on Tuesday, June 26 from 10 a.m. until the time of the celebration of Sandra’s life in music, which took place at 11:00 a.m. with the Rev. David Wilkinson presiding. MALCORE (East) Funeral Home, Green Bay, served the family.

Visit http://www.malcorefuneralhome.com/ to send an online condolence to the family.

Our thanks go out to the staff of the Bellin Cancer Center and the wonderful people at Unity Hospice.