Donna Margaret Hagen

Donna, a long time resident of Bountiful, passed away Saturday, March 14, 2020 at the age of 84 after a long battle of breast and bone cancer. She was the strongest, toughest, most stubborn lady ever. She was full of love and was very open to talking to new people. She will miss her friends at Smith’s who know her and helped her find all of her grocery items each week.

Mom had a sharp mind and was not afraid to share what she thought. Her granddaughter, Heidi said that “Grandma can sure say a lot just with her facial expressions” and boy was that true. If you have ever had “the look”, you know what I mean. We recently visited with her and she recalled dates and events from her past that totally amazed us. She told stories of living in South Carolina, Deer Lodge, Montana, running the mean streets of Ogden back in the day, and living near the Canadian border with her husband Curt while he worked for the Forest Service. She told of the many times that they had “border jumpers” come into their camp at night and sit down and drink coffee with them. I think mom had some stories that she did not want to tell us……

Mom loved going to Rick’s soccer games and I have heard stories of her running out on the field to go after the ref’s when she felt one of her “boys” was fouled. It was never a good idea to poke Momma Bear. Dave Denny, our next door neighbor, tells of times when “Butch and Rick” would get into a fight and Donna would come in and break it up and Dave would slowly sneak away, not wanting to get in the middle of Donna and her sons.

She said the best part of the Bountiful parade was seeing all the handsome firemen with their cute butts. She would always comment on the handsome men she saw at the store. But she would say the most handsome where her sons and grandsons.

Mom always listened to her police radio and would want to have us go follow the sirens to see what all the excitement was about. She definitely was an ambulance chaser and fascinated when life flight would land across the street bringing in the injured to the IHC facility. She would take pictures and could not wait to show them to us and tell us all about what happened.

In recent years, the best part of life for Donna was visiting with her grandchildren and seeing pictures and hearing stories of her nine great grandchildren. She had a strong sense of family and was very proud of the heritage that she came from and is leaving behind. The other day at the care center, her granddaughter Heidi said, “Grandma, one of your sons is here to help say good bye to you and one is on the other side waiting to say hello.” Hillary (granddaughter) said, “Grandma, you sure have beautiful great grandchildren, and Grandma replied, “Yep and they get their looks from me!!!!” And we would all laugh. Because her grandson, Brad, lives out of state, we spent hours with him on FaceTime. Grandma would all of a sudden realize he was there and say “Hi Brad!, are you flying here to say goodbye?” We really started to think she was not going until Brad got here!

Even though mom had her rough side, we found in these later days a sense of humor that gave us memories that we will never forget. We are grateful for her acute mind and time we had with her the last few days before she declined. We will always remember her wit and sense of timing. As well as “the look”.

Mom was very grateful for the men in the ward who came each year to put up her air conditioner in the spring and then take it down in the fall. She loved when the little “church boys would come each month and she would give them some money to put into that little blue envelope.” We appreciated all those who visited and took care of her over the years and would bring her bread and visit with her, mostly on the front porch. Thank you for ministering to my mom.

Donna’s legacy will now go on through her family.

She was proceeded in death by her husband Curt, and her son Rick. She is survived by John “Butch” Hagen (Stephanie), grandson Brad (Mandy), Heidi Tryon (Matt), and Hillary Haacke (Andrew), as well as her nine great grandchildren, Johnny, Charlie, Hallie, Cooper, Quinn, Milo, Cole, Lucy, and Baby Girl (Jacqueline). She is also survived by three brothers, Richard Wixom, Jerry Wixom and Jim Hibler.

Due to the current coronavirus outbreak, we have chosen to have a private family viewing and graveside service on Thursday, March 19, 2020. Interment will be at Memorial Lakeview Estates in Bountiful, Utah.