Alice Edith Hagen was born June 1, 1916, in Benson, Minnesota, the daughter of Commodore and Edith (Cooley) Smith. Alice grew up on the family farm in Six-Mile Grove Township and graduated from Benson High School with the Class of 1934. On August 28, 1938, Alice was united in marriage to Oren Gustafson in Benson. On June 12, 1971, Alice was married to Alfred Hagen at Big Bend Lutheran Church. Alfred died in 1987. Alice was a homemaker and a volunteer. She took Hospice Training and visited many ill people. She also took "bereavement" training and visited grieving families. Alice also worked at the Swift County Courthouse, Lee's Ben Franklin Store, Nelson Hardware and Furniture and Gibson's Pamida, all in Benson. Alice was a member of Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ and the Women's fellowship and Priscilla Circle there. She also was a member of the VFW Auxiliary and the Benson Hospital Auxiliary. Among the things she enjoyed were birds and flowers and doing volunteer work. Alice was called from this life on Tuesday, June 8, 2010 at Golden Living Center in Benson. She attained the age of 94 years and 7 days. Alice is survived by her sisters: Evelyn Stone of Benson and Phyllis (Andrew) Stone of Benson; three step-children: Lillian (Dale) Bartelheimer of Washington, Leonard Hagen of Holloway, and Ellis Hagen of Washington; and several nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death were her second husband, Alfred; her parents Commodore and Edith; a brother, Milburn Smith; a sister, Helen Prusia; and a step-child, Alfred Hagen, Jr.
