Kenneth Hagge

Kenneth A. Hagge, 91, of Ogallala, passed away Sunday, March 20, 2022, in his home.

He was born April 3, 1930, at Paxton, to Henry and Mary (Trotter) Hagge. He graduated from Ogallala High School with the Class of 1948. He subsequently served in the U.S. Air Force, where he proudly received his instrument pilot's certificate on his 20th birthday. Following his discharge, Ken attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

On Feb. 26, 1951, he married Dorothy "Dot" Worden at Ogallala. The couple made its home at Ogallala and were blessed with five children, Angela, Stephanie, Tamara, Kenneth and Marty.
Robert Goodall hired Ken in 1952 to work as a design engineer. He would be promoted to work in management at Good-All, later TRW, ultimately retiring as the vice president and general manager of the Optoelectronics Division.

Ken had a heart for his community and service. He served on the Ogallala Hospital board of directors for more than 20 years, including many of those years as president. He was a longtime member of the Ogallala Country Club, where he also served as director.

Ken was active in the Rotary Club and Chamber of Commerce. In his younger years, he was highly involved in the Ogallala Jaycees. Additionally, he was co-founder of the first underwater rescue team in Keith County.

Ken had an entrepreneurial spirit, having been one of the original owners of the Ramada/Stagecoach Inn, as well as KIBC-FM Radio, which is now KMCX or Hot Country 106.5.
Ken was a faithful and active member of the First United Methodist Church at Ogallala. He had served as longtime director of the West Central Nebraska Health organization, which was in charge of administering the Hill-Burton Health Grant. He was also the former director of the 18-county Comprehensive Health Planning Association.

Survivors include his five children, Angela (Dr. Bart) Kolste, of Ogallala, Stephanie Burton, of Montgomery, Texas, Tamara Hagge (Dick Armstrong), of Maricopa, Arizona, Kenneth (Tamara) Hagge, of Summerville, South Carolina, and Marty (Judi) Hagge, of Phoenix, Arizona; 12 grandchildren, Brittany (Justin) Hardin, of Paxton, Michelle (Ben) Kennett, of Montgomery, Texas, Scott (Julia) Burton, of Phoenix, Arizona, Trent (Melissa) Kolste, of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, Drew Anderson, of Aurora, Colorado, Courtney Kolste, of Long Beach, California, Dax Anderson, of Fort Collins, Colorado, Greg (Courtney) Hagge, of Phoenix, Arizona, Aaron Hagge (Jamie Black), of Phoenix, Arizona, Alyson Hagge (Harrison Bowers), of Phoenix, Arizona, Alexandra (Phillip) Marino, of Goose Creek, South Carolina, and Kenneth (Kimberly) Hagge III, of Raleigh, North Carolina; 11 great-grandchildren; other relatives; and friends.

Ken was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Ann; a great-grandson, William Edward Hardin; his parents, Henry and Mary; a brother, Robert; his twin sister, Kathryn; and his in-laws, Clarence and Ethel Worden.

The services will be livestreamed at methodistchurchogallala.com, < http://methodistchurchogallala.com/ > online condolences may be sent to prairiehillsfuneralhome.com. < http://prairiehillsfuneralhome.com/>Memorials are suggested to the First United Methodist Church at Ogallala or the Keith County Foundation Fund in his memory.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, March 28, 2022, in the First United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Chuck Rager officiating. Inurnment, with military honors, will be held at the Ogallala Cemetery.

Prairie Hills Funeral Home of Ogallala is in charge of arrangements