Robert "Bobby" Dean Hagen

Robert Dean “Bobby” Hagen, 70, of Kellogg, died on Friday, March 27, 2026, at Grinnell Regional Hospital.  A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, April 2, 2026, at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory. The family will greet friends from 5-7 p.m., Wednesday, April 1, at the funeral home.  Memorials in Robert’s name (checks to Nina Sauer) may be left at the funeral home.

Robert, the son of Russell and Winnie (Shoemaker) Hagen, was born on June 23, 1955, in Newton.  He was a lifelong resident of Kellogg.  Robert graduated from Newton High School in 1973.  He began his career as a Truck Driver for Keith Westercamp Trucking and then worked at the Maytag Company for 22 years. During that time, he continued his education by pursing a law degree at DMACC and Upper Iowa University.  After Maytag closed, Robert operated Side Tracks Tap in Kellogg for 12 years, retiring in 2020. 

Robert was a talented musician, and music was his “love language”.  He was a founding member and past president of the South Skunk Blues Society. He played the guitar and harmonica, preferably in the Key of A,  and enjoyed writing songs and going to concerts.  Even in the bar, when patrons would come in to talk through their lives, Robert would turn to the juke box and always find the perfect song to play for them.  Many folks walked through the door as strangers would leave as friends.  Robert also loved tennis, watching Formula One racing, and “collecting” cars.  He was always willing to help people out and take them under his wing.

Robert is survived by his significant other, Nina Sauer of Kellogg; children, David Eilander of Blairstown, Courtney (Jeremy) Claussen of Newton, Alicia Sauer (Christopher) of Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Austin Sauer of Worthington, Minnesota; his grandchildren, Benjamin, Brandon, and Briar Claussen; sisters, Sue Lenz of Kellogg and Patty (Randy) Jackson of Newton; and several nieces and nephews and their families.  He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Barbara (George) Kydd; and brother-in-law, Dwight Lenz.

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