Sverre Waagen was born in Gursken, Norway on Nov. 9, 1927. A longtime Minnesota resident of Richfield, current resident of Clear Lake, passed away at the age of 89, peacefully in his home on Dec. 21, 2016. He proudly served his country in the Army’s First Calvary division during the Korean War and was owner of the Big Chicken restaurant in Bloomington for many years. He was a longtime member of the American Legion, Sons of Norway, Kontact and recently celebrated 60 years with the Norwegian Glee Club. Known for his singing and storytelling, he was proud of publishing his first novel, Surviving Norway’s Nazi Occupation in 2014.

 

Preceded in death by Gyda and Gabriel Waagen (parents), Ellie Brevik (sister) and Danton Gunter (grandson). Survived by wife of 63 years, Alice (Haase)Waagen; sisters: Gerd Waagen, Petra Marie Klausen; sister-in-law Beatrice Fure; six children: Rose Marie (Dennis Bartholow) Meuwissen, Linda (John)Hamilton III, Norman (Karen) Waagen, Sonja (Andrew) Gunter, Paul Waagen, Richard (Nancy Adams) Waagen;  grandchildren: Shane Meuwissen, Tiffany (Travis) Warford, Cassandra (James) Papin, John (Joanna)Hamilton IV, Christina (Geoff) Deemer, Bryan (Becky) Hamilton, Blaze Waagen, Aubrey (Donald) Bennell, Travis Pfeiffer, Richard Waagen II, Mercedes (Tom) Smith, Tryg Waagen;  and seven great-grandchildren.  Visitation was Mon., Dec. 26, 4-7pm at Washburn-McReavy Werness Brothers Chapel. Service to celebrate his life was held on Tues., Dec. 27, 10 am, at Bloomington Lutheran Church, 9350 Portland Ave S, Bloomington, MN. Burial at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery. Memorials “in memory of Sverre Waagen, Vonheim  Lodge 1-108” preferred to Sons of Norway Foundation at sofn.com.