John D. “Hoagy” Hoagenson
John D. “Hoagy” Hoagenson
John D. “Hoagy” Hoagenson passed away Jan. 25, 2026.
John was the son of Melvin and Cora Hoagenson and was born March 25, 1929. He graduated from Black River Falls High School and River Falls State University. Following graduation, he passed a civil service test and was hired at the travel pay section of the Post Finance Office at Camp McCoy where he worked for three years until the end of the Korean War. He then sold life insurance and was hired by A.C. “Bean” Hagen as a clerk in Hagen’s Men’s Wear, eventually managing and then purchasing it. He retired after 38 years. Hoagy was forever grateful for all of his employees and wonderful customers through all his years in business.
He married Delone Schults of Arcadia, WI, June 5, 1987, in Sun Prairie, WI, where she was employed.
He was a lifelong member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church where he served on the Gifts and Memorial Committee and Visitation Team.
He was also on the board of directors of both Riverside Cemetery and Skyline Golf Course and was a volunteer with the Black River Memorial Hospital Life Line program where he and his partners installed 100 units.
Hoagy was one of the original members of the Skyline Golf Course; he and his partners played hundreds of rounds at the Skyline and 50 other courses. His favorite achievement in golf came on the day the back nine at Skyline opened and he was the first golfer to birdie the 18th hole.
Hoagy was a fan of the Black River Falls Tigers, Wisconsin Badgers and the Green Bay Packers, as well as the Chicago Cubs, and he was happy to have lived long enough to see the Cubs win the World Series in 2016.
After his retirement, Hoagy and Delone did a lot of traveling. They went by motor coach to the New England States, the splendid Southwest and made two trips to Florida. They also drove to visit friends and relatives in Colorado, Minnesota, Indiana and North Carolina.
Hoagy also enjoyed watching both college and professional football, major league baseball and golf tournaments on TV.
Hoagy is preceded in death by his parents; brother Robert; and his wife, Betty; niece Nancy; and sisters-in-law Mary Jane Walz and Marti Schultz.
He is survived by his wife; niece Donna (David) Gray of Arvada, CO, and their children, Katie Rich and Kevin Gray.
Thank you to Marilyn Bishop; Paul Anderson; Clint, Jean and Andy Helland; Dennis and Carrie Farnsworth; and Pam Jones for all their help and concern.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, at Black River Evangelical Lutheran Church with Pastor Jenny Hatleli officiating. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Black River Falls. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service. Torgerson Funeral Home, Black River Falls is assisting the family with arrangements.