Age 57
HAGBERG, Mark Lester
Kalamazoo
Formerly of Lawrence
Mark Hagberg, 57, recently of Kalamazoo, died January 26, 2014 at his home of cardiac arrest. He had been in declining health since November 2013. Mark was born on August 4, 1956 and lived in Lawrence MI for 56 years. As a boy, he grew up on his family's fruit farm and was an active participant in high school football, basketball and excelled in baseball. During his junior year Mark was elected to Boys State in Lansing, where he ran for governor. He graduated from Lawrence High School in 1974, and then graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Central Michigan University in 1978. He began his professional career with Mutual of Omaha, and later with Prudential of Kalamazoo. Currently, Mark was retired due to health. Mark was married to Patricia from 1984 to 2013. Together, they had one son, Eric, born in 1987, who preceded Mark in death in 2008. Mark's greatest joy was his son Eric, and together, they were quite the buddies. Their projects included working on a vintage sports car, motorcycles and other gadgetry. Mark was an active member of the Rising Sun Masonic Lodge of Lawrence where he served in many elected positions. He was also a member of Trinity Lutheran Church of Paw Paw. Mark's hobbies included reading, especially about Theodore Roosevelt and the works of Mark Twain. He also wrote poetry, songs, fiction, a children's story, and news articles. As an outdoorsman, Mark loved to fish for bass, hunt deer, and boat on Christie Lake with his family. His mother, Betty Hagberg of Lawrence, his sister, Vicki and brother-in-law, Daniel of Portage, a niece, Emily, and nephew, Zachary Stewart, survive him. His "best friend"a�"as Mark stated it, and former wife, Patricia, of Kalamazoo, also survives him. In addition, he leaves behind many aunts, uncles, cousins, and family friends who appreciated Mark and his unique spirit. His father, Lester D. Hagberg preceded Mark in death in 2000. A funeral service will be held for Mark on Friday, January 31 at 11 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Paw Paw, followed by a visitation in the Fellowship Hall. Donations may be made to a charity of choice. Arrangements are by the Adams Funeral Home, Paw Paw.