Gerald R. Hagensen

Gerald Ray Hagensen was born Oct. 5, 1952, to Gerald and Florence (Parsley) Hagensen. He passed away unexpectedly on May 15, 2025, on his way home from working in the field.

Jerry spent his growing up years on the family farm at Mapleton, ND. He excelled in high school sports there, especially basketball and graduated high school in 1970. During his high school years, Jerry, was fortunate to be the first attendee from Mapleton to attend North Dakota Boys State.

After high school Jerry attended NDSU for a couple years and decided college wasn’t for him. He farmed with his Dad for a few years. Also, during that time period he was a leader with the Golden Prairie 4-HClub.

He entered the work force and worked his way up to Superintendent for Swanston Equipment Co. of Fargo. He striped roads and airport runways all over the United States. In September 1975, Jerry and his crew in Monticello, Arkansas, established The Traffic Marking and Company record, using a total of 2,805 gallons of white paint. Then, in June of 1977, Jerry and his crew broke the thermoplastic striping record by putting down 159,000 linear feet of paint.

He then started his own custom combining business and followed the wheat harvest north from Kansas to the Canadian border. During the off season he worked for his good friend, Rodger Olson at Leonard farming.

He raced sprint cars in the local area. He was a member of the Red River Racing Association. In 1974 he was honored with the Rookie Sprint Pilot of the Year with the RRRA.

He loved to hunt and fish and spent time at Lake Sakakawea in central ND. He loved getting in his pickup and driving. He took a daily trip to Mapleton to pick up his mail and have coffee with his buddies at Gordy’s. He would take a spur of the moment road trip anywhere, but particularly to Tulsa, OK, to watch the Chili Bowl National Car races and every fall elk hunting in MT with his friend Shawn Erickson.

Jerry had many friends and acquaintances too numerous to mention. He loved them all and helped a lot of people that nobody knew about. We ask that any memorials be gifted to the charity of your choice, however, Jerry had a heart for the veterans.

Jerry is survived by siblings: Paula (Dean) Swenson, Walcott, ND, Mary Larsen, Fargo, ND, and Jim (Anne) Hagensen, Mapleton, ND. He is also survived by the following nieces and nephews: Matt Swenson, Walcott, Kent Swenson, Kindred, Luke Swenson, Fargo, Logan Larsen, Mountain Home, Idaho, Lauren Larsen, Denver, Co, Ashley Hagensen, Fargo, and Brittany Thomas, Jamestown, ND. He is also survived by 12 great-nieces and great-nephews.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Gerald and Florence; and his brother, John Hagensen.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 3 PM Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center in Fargo – with a visitation beginning at 1:30. A private family burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Fargo.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center in Fargo. To sign the online guest book, or to view a livestream of the funeral service, please visit our website at www.boulgerfuneralhome.com