Leo was born on August 18, 1922, in Spiritwood, ND, to Julius and Florentina (Lorenz) Hagenson. He
spent two years in the Civil Conservation Corps in Remer, MN; Salmon River, ID; and Yellowstone
National Park. He then served for six years in WWII, first in the United States Merchant Marines and
then the Army's Pacific theater. Leo met his wife, Mary Catherine (Yanz) at the Veteran's Administration
Hospital in St. Paul, MN. She was Leo's nurse when he was quarantined, having contracted what they
thought was malaria. The two were inseparable partners in life and business. They married on June 19,
1948, and settled in Hastings, MN, near Mary Catherine's parents. To complete their home, they
adopted three children, Michael, Mary Sue, and Richard. Leo and his wife shared a love of traveling
and enjoyed camping trips with their children and Mary Catherine's parents. Later in life, the two shared
many more adventures together, including trips to Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, the British Isles and
Europe. Just as one trip was ending, they were planning the next.

They moved from Hastings to Grantsburg, WI, in 1958, to launch the manufacture of the Rolite Travel
Trailer. Leo's invention of the Rolite Trailer had won first prize at the Inventor's Congress in Redwood
Falls, MN. In 1971 he and Mary Catherine moved to Kenyon, MN, and then in 1977 realized a dream by
moving to Hot Springs, where they were captivated by the area's natural beauty. Leo started up his mat
cutting business, Eagle Mats, with Mary Catherine as his business partner. He was known to be as hard-
working as he was supportive as a business leader.

Leo is survived by his son, Richard (Elizabeth) Hagenson of Northfield, MN; daughter-in-law, Doris Wilhelm; five grandchildren, Shannon
(Megan) Hagenson, Aaron Hagenson, Leslie (Damon) Messenger, Peter Hagenson, Acacia Hagenson, Jamie (Bailey) Ellison; and
two great grandchildren, Mikah and Stella Hagenson.

His wife, Mary Catherine; son, Michael and daughter, Mary Sue preceded him in death.

Christian Funeral Vigil will be held 7:00 p.m., Thursday, November 5, 2020, at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Hot Springs, SD. Services may be viewed at https://www.stanthonyhotsprings.org/

Christian Funeral Mass will be held 10:00 a.m., Friday, November 6, 2020 at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Hot Springs. Services may be viewed at https://www.stanthonyhotsprings.org/

Christian funeral committal services will be held at the Cold Springs Cemetery in Pringle, SD, following the funeral mass.

Arrangements have been placed in the care of Chamberlain McColley's Funeral Home in Hot Springs.