Patricia Ann Hagan

Patricia “Pat” Ann Hagan, 91, of East Lansing, Michigan died peacefully at Sparrow Hospital on Friday, October 6, 2023 after a brief illness. Pat loved to laugh and instilled lifelong values in her entire family and to all who had the privilege of knowing her.

Pat was born to Theodore Norman and Borghild Leone (Tollefson) Samuelson in Minneapolis, Minnesota on August 26, 1932. Pat had an older brother named Robert Gordon Samuelson and the family lived there while her father pursued an advanced degree in education. When she was a baby, the family moved to Dover MN where Pat enjoyed her childhood. Later, the family purchased the family farm and relocated to Comfrey, MN. She was educated in the Comfrey school system where she was active in theater and 4H. After high school she attended Iowa State University where she was active in her Kappa Delta sorority, theater and university television programs. She graduated with a Broadcasting and Television degree.

After graduation, Pat came to Lansing, Michigan to interview at WJIM TV to host a homemaker program. After rejecting several offers to be on TV she accepted a position as an airline stewardess with United Airlines. Pat wanted to travel and see more of the world. She was first based in Los Angeles and later transferred to Denver. On a flight from Denver to San Francisco, she met a young navy officer being transferred to a ship in the Pacific. He asked her to have breakfast with him, and luckily for him, she agreed.

That was the beginning of a beautiful love story of Pat and Ted Hagan. During the time on the ship, Ted wrote letters to Pat and when the ship returned to the states, they met in San Francisco and later in Seattle. The naval dental officer was discharged from the navy in 1956 and began an oral and maxillofacial residency at the University of Michigan. Pat married Edmund (Ted) Hubert Hagan in Pat’s hometown of Comfrey, Minnesota on June 15, 1957. Once married, Pat left United Airlines to teach Home Economics in the Dexter, MI schools and later became a dietitian at St. Joseph Hospital in Ann Arbor, MI. Two years later, Pat and Ted welcomed their first son. Ted finished his residency training and they moved to East Lansing, MI in 1960. By 1962, they were a family with three boys and in 1969, the family with four boys was complete. Pat poured herself into her roles as the mother of four active boys, an oral surgeon’s wife and passionate member of the community.

Pat was not an idle Mom. She won the title of Mrs. Lansing Homemaker, volunteered in East Lansing schools, joined Junior League, and was part of the Sparrow Hospital and St. Lawrence Hospital Guilds. She was active with Meals on Wheels, Sparrow Meals and was president of the Dental Auxiliary. Being an active part of the community, attending MSU basketball, hockey and football games was a must. Other activities that Pat enjoyed were annual trips to the Stratford Festival, tennis, golf and skiing in Michigan with family and friends. She loved her flower gardens and planted beautiful geraniums each summer. She and Ted wintered in Tucson, Arizona for nearly 20 years and Pat’s love of nature meant all new flowers and wildlife there. Travel and a sense of adventure were always important to Pat. She and Ted’s travels included several European countries, Canada and New Zealand, multiple Caribbean islands and of course, Norway. Pat shared Norwegian family traditions such as Lefsa, a Norwegian potato crepe filled with butter and sugar, on Christmas Eve. On Christmas morning, many neighbors remember eating her famous Tea Ring filled with cinnamon, raisins and sweetness. Above all else, Pat’s true sense of purpose was derived by having meaningful relationships with her family.

Pat is survived by her four sons and their wives: David Hagan and Patty, Chris Hagan and Martina, Chuck Hagan and Barb and Tom Hagan and Amie; her seven grandchildren: Kevin Hagan (Stephanie), Michael Hagan, Dan Hagan (Natalyia), Chad Hagan, Chris Hagan (Kelly), Caroline “Carly” Hagan Brogan (Grant), and Alexander Hagan; and two great grandchildren: Fiona Hagan and Nolan Hagan. She was predeceased by her brother Robert Samuelson, and her parents.

There will be a Celebration of Life service at Eastminster Presbyterian Church of East Lansing on Saturday, October 28, 2023 at 11am at 1315 Abbot Road, East Lansing, MI. The family will be available at 10am for visitation at the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Eastminster Presbyterian Church www.eastminsterchurch.org (517-337-0893) or Sparrow Hospital Guild at 1322 E. Michigan Ave. Suite 204, Lansing, MI 48912 or visit www.sparrow.org/Give to make a donation in loving memory of Patricia Hagan (517-364-3620).

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.greastlansing.com for the Hagan family.