Erwin C. Hagen

Erwin “Erv” Charles Hagen, age 87 of Appleton, WI died unexpectedly on November 25, 2025. He was born to Arthur and Eleanor (Marx) Hagen on December 14, 1937 in Appleton, WI. Erwin met the love of his life, Dolores Quella, at a friend’s wedding. They were married in November of 1958 and they recently celebrated 67 years together. Erwin worked at Giddings and Lewis in Kaukauna, WI and Fond du Lac, WI as a quality control supervisor until his retirement. Together, they raised 2 wonderful children.

His many interests were trains, model railroading, and auto racing of all kinds, such as Midgets, the Oklahoma Chili Bowl, IndyCars, and Formula One racing. He liked participating in winter sports; cross country skiing/racing and/or snowshoeing. Other interests included spending time with the family, helping and hanging out at his daughter’s tree farm, enjoying the family at his son’s cottage, and working on his computer. Erwin was an excellent amateur photographer and videographer. He especially enjoyed making videos of trains and filming his grandkids’ athletic achievements in soccer games.

He loved riding bicycles, including tandems, recumbent bikes, and road bikes with his life partner, Dolores. They went on many bicycle trips. A road trip that was especially memorable was biking in the Canadian Rockies. Biking was very important to him in his later years. He celebrated his last day by riding 15 miles. In fact, he rode 1,500 miles this past summer. Not bad for an 87 year old.

Travel was fun as long as it didn’t include airplanes or boats. However he bit the bullet twice to his rule against flying on airplanes. Once, for their wonderful trip to Germany to watch his granddaughter, Sarah Hagen, play professional soccer with their special tour guides, Steve and Sandy and their two boys, Matt and Nate, which was so much fun. He even got to ride on a high-speed train at 300 KMPH between Germany and France. The second time was a trip to Switzerland to ride the Swiss trains, which was hosted by the National Railroad Museum in Green Bay, WI.

Erwin was a devoted Catholic. His Catholic faith was not just a part of his life, but the foundation of it. He lived his beliefs in how he loved his family and how he treated others. We can find solace in knowing his soul is at eternal rest and we will miss him dearly.

Erwin will be deeply missed by his wife, Dolores; his children, Sandy (Steve) and Charles (Michele); his grandkids, Matt, Nate (Natalie), and Sarah; his brother, John (Colleen); as well as many nieces, nephews, other extended relatives, and dear friends.

In heaven, Erwin rejoins his parents, Arthur and Eleanor; his parents-in-law, Raymond and Claudine; and many friends who’re hopefully saving a seat for him at the dinner table.

There will be a visitation at Wichmann Funeral Home, 537 N. Superior St, Appleton from 4:30 – 6:30 PM on Friday, December 19, 2025. On Saturday, December 20, there will be a visitation at 9:30 – 10:30 AM at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 404 W Lawrence St, Appleton, WI 54911 with a Mass at 10:30 AM. Erwin will be laid to rest in the Spring of 2026 at St. Joseph Cemetery in Appleton, WI. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to St. Joseph Parish in Appleton or to the American Heart Association in honor of Erwin.