Stuart Arthur Hagen

Stuart Arthur Hagen was born January 28,1945 in Black River Falls, WI to John (Jack) and Virgina Girouard Hagen. He passed away a month shy of his 81st birthday on December 28, 2025, at 8:56 pm, following serious complications from glioblastoma.

From an early age, Stuart lived an adventurous and independent life. His childhood was spent exploring the woods surrounding his home, balanced by responsibilities such as tending the garden and selling produce. That early connection to the land shaped a lifelong passion for the outdoors.

Stuart leaves a profound void in the lives of his family and friends. No matter the occasion, Stuart was fully engaged-whether mentoring others with his hunting expertise and business knowledge, planning his latest land and deer management projects, recounting the adventures of his hunting trips, or ensuring the house and bunkhouse were fully equipped and stocked for family and visitors. Yet, his greatest joy was time spent with the grandchildren. In his spare time, he shared many memorable trips with Marilyn and good friends. He was never one to sit for long.

Stuart’s hunting adventures became legendary. From hunting in various parts of the world, to spending hours hiking out of a canyon in subfreezing temperatures while experiencing heart problems, to being charged by grizzly bears, and even capsizing a boat on Lake Erie- 25 miles offshore during a thunderstorm-his stories were as daring as unforgettable. Along with his son, Gunnar, special friends, Dan Trawicki, Scot Ironside and David Linse, plus several others have accompanied him.

Stuart graduated from the Black River Falls High School with the Class of 1963. He received a BS in Biology from UW-Eau Claire, Class of 1968. A recurring story to be asked at the celebration is the “infamous porcupine story”. After this, he was hired by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), becoming the District Fisheries’ Biologist. Upon leaving the DNR, Stuart and John Mogensen formed and partnered in Investment Realty and University Area Housing on Water Street in Eau Claire in 1980.

Stuart and Marilyn Hanson married on June 27, 1968. They have two children, Greta Ann and Gunnar John and lived in varying communities throughout the Eau Claire area, including Vine and Lake Streets, Hwy BB in Drammen, Barron and finally Modena, WI. The Modena home and land is the legacy Stuart wants to leave his family to enjoy, monitor and flourish for years to come.

Stuart is survived by his wife, Marilyn, of 57 years, two children, Greta Austin (Steve), Gunnar Hagen, Grandchildren Emma Bible (Alex Moore), Ethan Bible, Brecken Hagen, Kaitlin Austin (Kyle Obremski) and Rachel (Chad) Kenyon. His sisters, Ann LaFaunge, Linda Ellcey and brothers, John Hagen (Lynnea) and Jay Hagen (Deb) survive him. A brother, Peter, preceded him in death. Peter’s wife, Mary Alice, survives him, along with sisters-in-law, Clarice Franke and Grace (Skip) Nordahl. Kurt Krummenauer, whom Stuart considered a second son, also survives.

A celebration of Stuart’s full life will be Sunday, January 25, 1:00-4:00 pm at Mona Lisa’s located on Water Street in Eau Claire. Please join us in commemorating the life of Stuart Hagen by sharing your invaluable stories. This obituary and its contents do not justify the vastness of Stuart’s life.

Please, no flowers or memorials. Your presence and thoughts mean the most.

Stuart wants to be remembered as a hunter and entrepreneur. Within these pursuits, he kept everyone intrigued and on edge as to the success of each, including the writer of this obituary. May he be remembered as his classmates said of him, “an all-around good guy liked by all”.

The following statements are how his grandchildren describe their beloved Grandpa:

Ethan-… “was one of my best friends…represented everything a grandpa is and beyond…”

Brecken… “was always one to teach, the one I would turn to when I needed a good laugh, and a friend I could rely on”

Emma… “I knew some type of adventure was waiting …when I was with him”

Rachel… “only Stuie would be patient enough and lucky enough to take a new mom and 3-month-old turkey hunting” …

Kaitlyn… “he was sure to have the whole room cracking up while managing to fit in a little lecture on the latest economic news and financial advice” …

And, now for the rest of the stories…