--Published in The Alaska Dispatch News, 02/28/2016:

Ann Bernice Hagen passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2016, at Sanford Hospital in Fargo, N.D.

Ann resided at Fair Meadow Nursing Home and Assisted Living in Fertile, Minn. She was 94.

Anna Bernice Colebank was the fourth child of seven and eldest daughter born to Clara and John Colebank in Woodside township, Polk County, Minnesota.

She attended District 8 School through 8th grade and graduated from Mentor High School in 1934. Earning an elementary teaching certificate at Thief River Falls, Ann taught rural school for six years in Polk and Norman counties. Ann furthered her education at Bemidji State Teachers College and served as county 4-H Club agent in Cass and Norman Counties for three years.

In June 1946, Ann married Melbourne Charles Hagen at Maple Lake Lutheran Church and moved to Adak, Alaska, where they both worked for the Army Engineers.

Ann and Mel celebrated 69 years of marriage in 2015.

They resided in Alaska for more than 50 years, however maintained family ties by returning to Minnesota every other summer. Ann's career with civil service totaled 29 years in Alaska; on the island of Adak with the office of personnel; in Anchorage with the Bureau of Language Management; and briefly in Crookston, Minn., for the Internal Revenue Service.

Ann's retirement years were filled with volunteer work for the Anchorage Senior Center Library, travel and participation in the annual Alaska Run for Women and Alaska Heart Run. Ann traveled with family members as far as St Petersburg, Russia; England; Ireland; Scotland; Spain; Estonia; Finland; and Denmark. Together she and Mel made numerous trips to Hawaii and Louisiana to visit her sister, Marty. Ann renewed her passport at the age of 90, with plans to visit her granddaughter and family in Norway.

Prior to moving into Fair Meadow Assisted Living in Fertile, Minn., in 2013, Ann attended First Free Methodist Church in Anchorage. She remained steadfast in her faith and love of the Lord.

Ann enjoyed reading, skyping and emailing with family and friends. At Fair Meadow, Ann reconnected with friends from her growing up years in Minnesota.

Ann is survived by her sister, Martha Ruth Smith of DeRidder, La.; daughter, Janice (Greg) Gullickson of Anchorage, Alaska; and two sons, Reid (Grace) of Fertile, Minn., and Brent (Maureen) of Portland, Ore.; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; brother-in-law, Dick (Marion) Hagen; and sisters-in-law, Esther Colebank and Judy Millen.

Ann was preceded in death by her husband, Mel (Dec. 12, 2015); brothers, Maynard, Lawrence, Norman and John Colebank; and sister, Grace Anderson.

Funeral services for Ann Hagen were held on Jan. 23, 2016, at Hope Evangelical Free Church in Fertile, Minn.