Laurin Hagen, 77, passed away peacefully Thursday March 6, 2014, at her home in Custer, with her husband and four daughters by her side.

Laurin was born in 1936, in Pierre, SD, and grew up on the prairie. She loved open spaces and even in the Black Hills she enjoyed areas with broad views, big sky, and glimpses of the horizon. Laurin attended high school in Pierre, and then studied at the University of South Dakota where she met Ainsworth Hagen (Hot Springs), her husband of 56 plus years. They moved to Memphis, TN, where Laurin completed her bachelor's degree at Memphis State University while Ainsworth worked on his PhD. Laurin and Ainsworth spent most of their years in Memphis and Vermillion, SD, before retiring to Custer. They also lived in Salt Lake City, UT, Stockholm, Sweden, and Poynton, England.

Laurin's caring spirit was evident to everyone who knew her. She was a tireless volunteer, serving at an inner city Memphis school, Meals on Wheels, Easter Seals, and Hospice. She was a long-time member of the League of Women Voters. Laurin worked for the Memphis Interfaith Association, serving as coordinator of the first housing for the elderly program. She was an active member of Custer Community Church, First UMC in Vermillion, and Asbury United Methodist Church in Memphis, where she helped establish a Mother's Day Out program.

Laurin was a wonderful wife, mother of four daughters, plus four exchange student daughters, mother-in-law, grandmother, and friend. Her patience, energy, good humor, and affection knew no bounds. She made the lives of those around her happier, and she will be missed dearly. Spring wildflowers, songbirds, cinnamon rolls, homemade chicken noodle soup, and a joy for the outdoors will keep her close to our hearts.

Laurin is survived by her husband, Ainsworth Hagen; daughters, Kristen (Carl Schmertmann) Hagen of Tallahassee, FL, Karol (Dale) Pilkinton of Spring Hill, TN, Sandra Hagen of Greensboro, NC; Sharon (Allen) LaBrune of Thousand Oaks, CA; 11 grandchildren, Eric, Lara, Mark, Connor, Evan, Austin, Ashley, Elise, Kyndal, Johnathan, Alyssa; brother, John Kirley of Custer; sisters, Elaine (Bob) Kloss of Custer; Susanne Kirley of Denver, CO; as well as many other loving family members and friends.

Memorial sevices will be held 10:30 a.m., Saturday, July 12, 2014, at the Custer Community Church in Custer, SD.

In honor of Laurin, the family requests that any donations go to: Hospice of the Hills, 224 Elk St., Rapid City, SD 57701, or Custer Community Church, 547 Harney St., Custer, SD 57730.