Sandra Hagen

Middleton, Wis.-- Sandra “Sandy” K. Montagne Hagen (77) passed May 13, 2020 surrounded by her husband, 2 children, and grandchildren.

Sandy was born April 3, 1943, to Roderick Montagne and Evelyn Pelkey Montagne in Sioux City, Iowa. Sandy and her 10 siblings lived a very challenged life throughout the Midwest.  Sandy—said to be her mother’s favorite due to her glow—was a creative soul who painted her entire life and was a good singer who would perform as a child at orphanages and retirement homes.

Sandy was remembered as having a strong personality and complaining was never part of her character.  There wasn’t money for extras growing up in such a large family, but she was always optimistic for her future. Sandy and her sisters would cut paper dolls out of department store catalogs as they planned their futures. Sandy’s plan was to be married and have a boy and girl.

She was accustomed to hard work her entire life and was on her own at the age of 15 in Moorhead Minnesota.  She worked at the The Waffle Shop where she eventually met her husband in 1961.  Ronald “Ron” Hagen ventured in one day to see the beautiful girl that his friend had talked about. He was smitten, and to woo her, he started leaving her notes on the little pieces of cardboard that held the butter when he came in. Eventually, he invited both Sandy and her sister to join him to see a movie at the drive-in theater. After a little maneuvering, he arranged for Sandy to meet and the rest was history.  Sandy and Ron were a hot item at many local dances. They won several contests over the years including the grand prize of a large ham.

They married on March 16, 1963 and had their children (Stacy and Jim) before eventually moving to Middleton in 1967.

She was a Cub Scout Den Mother and Girl Scout Leader.  She also made elaborate craft projects and used scrap wood and paint to make some of the toys for her children. She managed a variety of grocery store delis while keeping the family home. Known for her love of humor, she kept everyone laughing with her “say it like it is” manner of offering facts with a wry bluntness.  As an excellent cook, she could improvise a feast out of what was leftovers to something spectacular.  Making Christmas cookies was also one of favorite activities.

At the end of her life, she had several bouts of illness, and Ron was by her side through the trials. During the battle, Sandy’s sister (Linda) made frequent visits as they both reminisced about their childhood memories.

Sandy is survived by her husband Ronald, her children Stacy Orosz and Jim (Karen) Hagen, and her seven grandchildren: Abby and Collin Johnson; Jon, Anaka and Laszlo Orosz; and Kaleb and Jared Hagen.

She's also survived by four of her ten siblings: Linda (Merlin) Morken of East Bethel Minn and Margaret Beach of St. Paul, Pete (Sherri) Montagne of Yankton, S.D., and Gary (Mary) Beach of Fridley, Minn.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Rebecca “Becky” (Felix) Gruensteiner and Rosemary Hanson, and her brothers Dennis (Beatrice) Montagne and Allen Montagne.

Please join the family from 2-6 pm on Saturday, May 15th at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 6021 University Ave.  A dedication will be at 4 pm. To commemorate Sandy’s bountiful tables and hosting talents, there will be food and beverages during the celebration.