Mary Katherine (Hubert) Hagen

The family of Mary Katherine [Hubert] Hagen is deeply saddened to announce her passing on August 2, 2026. Following a brief battle with cancer, she died peacefully at Essentia Hospital, Duluth, surrounded by her loving family.

Mary K. was a native of Duluth, MN. She was born on February 6, 1941, to Wallace and Mary H. [Arseneau] Hubert. Mary K. was the youngest of three, with 20 years separating her and her brother James, and 16 years between her and her sister Elizabeth. She attended local grade schools and graduated from Cathedral High School in 1959, where she was an energetic student active in many school activities, including hockey cheerleading. Following graduation, Mary K. worked in the nursing field with the internal medicine department at the Duluth Clinic. Her natural warmth and lifelong love for making others feel comfortable and cared for made the role a perfect fit.

While in Duluth, she met her husband, Robert Hagen, a USAF pilot stationed at the Duluth AFB. They were united in marriage in June 1962 and welcomed their first son, Jay, in 1963 in Duluth. Shortly thereafter, they were stationed at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia, where their son Mark was born in 1965.

Upon Robert becoming a pilot for TWA, the family settled in Gaylordsville, Connecticut building a beautiful life in the New England countryside. While Mary K. worked at Voltaire’s art gallery in New Milford, Robert nurtured his love for flying by building an airplane in their basement. The aircraft was destined to become a vehicle of escape to many cross-country adventures. In 1974, longing to return to their roots near Lake Superior, they bought a beloved summer cabin on Schultz Lake near Duluth, where they created decades of cherished memories and lifelong friendships. They sold that cabin in 1986.

Looking ahead to retirement, they eventually settled in San Antonio, Texas. Tragically, only six months later, Bob was diagnosed with and passed away due to an aggressive cancer.

A surprise birthday celebration of her 50th birthday marked a new chapter in Mary K's life. It was at this party that she reunited with an old family friend, Louis "Lou" Schindler. That began a partnership that would endure for 35 years. Together, they established a home suited to their lifestyle in Texas, a new location, a new home and a new spa room. The next 12 years were packed with traveling cross-country, spending summers in Duluth and winters in San Antonio. They embarked on 13 educational trips with Elderhostel, traveled to visit their growing grandchildren, and enjoyed seeing the world by land, air and sea, including trips to Cuba, England, and Australia.

After selling their home in Texas, they purchased a condo in Bonita Springs, FL for the winters, and spent their summers at Ecumen Senior Living in Duluth. She and Lou filled their days with live music, theater, social gatherings and watching the large ships and sailboats from their living room windows. Over their 19 years as a residents at Ecumen, Mary K’s vibrant spirit and active presence touched many lives.

Mary K was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Hagen, her sister Elizabeth(Hubert-Dunphy) Barnum, her brother Sgt James Joseph Hubert, and her nieces Denise Dunphy and Terri Dunphy.

She is survived by: Her partner: Louis D. Schindler, Sons: Jay (LeVearne) Hagen of Duluth, MN, and Mark (Loretta) Hagen of Fort Worth, TX, Grandchildren: Julie (Connor) Elliott, Robert Hagen, Jayson Hagen, and Rachel Hagen, Great-Grandson: Cooper Elliott, Nieces: Dawn (Toshifumi) Komatsu, Bonnie Lou Dunphy, and Kimberly (Stephen) Horner, Grandnephews & Grandnieces: Matthew Komatsu (Jennifer Erickson), Lauren Komatsu (Paul Harris), Lydia Komatsu (Matthew Graven), Aaron Dunphy-Knighten, and Tristan (Nicola) Horner, Adrian Horner (and fiancé Lucy Saville), Extended Family: 8 great-nieces and great-nephews, and many loving cousins

To honor Mary K and her beloved nieces Denni and Terri, the family will hold consecutive Celebrations of Life in Duluth, MN, over the weekend of September 12–14, 2026. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Mary K's memory to: American Cancer Society, PO Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741, https://American Cancer Society/?campaign=honormemorialbutton&lang=en

Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home, 600 E. 2nd St. Duluth, MN 55805. 218-727-3555.