Keith Hagen

Keith Gordon Hagen, 67, died July 27, 2026, at Logan Health Medical Center in Kalispell.

He was born on Jan. 26, 1959, in Wolf Point to Kerel and Maripat (Nerlin) Hagen. He joined a brother, Mark, and, later, two sisters, Ladona and Karla, completed the family. His parents were educators, leading to moves from Wolf Point, Billings and Columbia Falls before the family settling in the Flathead Valley in 1963.

Keith and Mark were active boys who frequently found themselves in mischief. Keith usually dreamed up their next scheme, while Mark enthusiastically helped bring those plans to life. The family lived on a 40-acre hobby farm at the base of Columbia Mountain, complete with a creek, cows and horses — the ultimate playground for two adventurous brothers. Summers kept the boys especially busy working the land, from building and repairing fences and haying on the home place and additional leased ground.

He found great joy in the outdoors. An avid hunter, he treasured time spent in Montana's mountains and fields, whether in pursuit of game or simply taking in the beauty of nature. He also loved riding horses in the backcountry with his family in Glacier National Park and the South Fork.

On April 4, 1968, he was diagnosed with Type 1 juvenile diabetes, which he accepted with remarkable courage and resilience, rarely complaining and facing each day with a quiet determination.

A natural student, he excelled academically and was involved in the speech and debate team, Youth Legislature, Boys State, National Honor Society, student rep and class offi cer during high school. He also played football for the Columbia Falls Wildcats, cherishing the games and the lifelong friendships he built on the field. Known as the witty one in the family, he possessed a quick sense of humor and a knack for delivering