Elisabeth Louise Hagen

Elisabeth Louise Hagen, well known child development activist in Southern Utah, passed away peacefully on March 10, 2016 in her home in Cedar City, Utah, surrounded by her family after a two year battle with cancer at the age of 63. Elisabeth was a lifelong advocate for Utah’s children. For 21 years she worked for the Utah Office of Child Care as director of Five County Child Care Resource and Referral, where she worked tirelessly to educate and train child care providers throughout Southern Utah. A sought after lecturer and teacher, she presented at Early Childhood Conferences throughout Utah and for 14 years was an instructor at Southern Utah University. She is the author of two books of kindergarten programs used throughout Utah. Her love for children will be remembered by her staff, her students, her child care providers, many former children from the preschool she ran from her home and nursery classes, and most importantly her beloved children and grandchildren. Lis was a champion of children, always fighting to improve their world and protect their childhood. Elisabeth was born February 12, 1953 in North Ogden, Utah to Louis and Lucille Hagen. She attended Weber High School and Weber State College where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Child Development. She received a Master’s degree in Education from Utah State University. In 1978, she moved from Northern Utah to Cedar City. Besides her professional activities here, she performed at and ran the “Juggling School” at the Utah Shakespeare Festival’s Greenshow for many years as well as many Gifted and Talented Summer camps. She was an avid hiker and outdoor enthusiast. In 2005 she and her cousin, Anne, hiked the 192 miles from one coast of England to the other. She has made the climb to the top of Angel’s Landing in Zion National Park more times than can be counted, often with a cold pack full of strawberries and whipping cream. She is survived by her three children, Nathan (Melanie) Barker, Samuel (Jamie) Barker, Erin (Sidney) Groutage, her five grandchildren, three of her brothers, Russel (Karen) Hagen, Richard Hagen, Jerold (Dolores) Hagen, numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by both of her parents and her eldest brother Donald (Jan) Hagen. The family would like to invite friends and family to a memorial service honoring her life on March 19th at Stone Haven Event Center, 647 S. Cross Hollow Rd. Cedar City, UT. Friends may call from 11:00 to 11:45 a.m. The memorial service will begin at 12:00 noon. The Interment will take place at a later date in the Ben Lomond Cemetery in North Ogden, UT. Friends and family are invited to share condolences online at www.serenitystg.com. In lieu of flowers, Lis would be honored to have those efforts be put towards spending some extra time reading with a child.

Elisabeth Louise Hagen

February 12, 1953 - March 10, 2016