Kathleen "Kathy" Hagfors

Kathleen Hagfors passed away peacefully surrounded by her family in Sioux Falls, SD, on August 2, 2025, at the age of 82.  Kathleen Estelle (James) Hagfors was born in Brooklyn, NY on September 28, 1942 to Dennis and Sophia (Boylan) James. She spent her first 21 years in the Cambria Heights neighborhood in Queens, NY, where she was baptized and confirmed in her local Catholic church.  Kathy graduated from Andrew Jackson High School in 1960 where she was an excellent student and loved to learn. She especially enjoyed learning Spanish, which she continued to speak with her children and grandchildren throughout her life. 

Kathy met the love of her life, Gordon Hagfors, on Long Island, NY, where Gordy was stationed with the U.S. Air Force. They married on November 30, 1963.  They made their home in Queens, Minneapolis, and farms near Stark, MN, and Mora, MN.  They later spent 30 years in Cambridge, MN, and her final 10 years in Sioux Falls, SD, where they were members of Abiding Savior Free Lutheran Church.

Kathy worked many jobs throughout her life, including secretary, dairy farmer, accounting clerk, and administrative assistant. Her favorite occupation was mother and grandmother.  She spent countless hours caring for her family, doing therapy for her handicapped daughter Marilyn, canning garden produce, teaching her son to read, taking her daughters to piano lessons, and babysitting her friends’ children. She was an excellent problem solver and had a good sense of humor.

Kathy’s faith in Jesus Christ was important to her throughout her life, and she instilled a desire to spread God’s love into her children and grandchildren.  She taught Sunday School, was involved in Christian Women’s Club, and served in many areas throughout the church. She was always generous. Kathy loved to visit with anyone and never met a stranger.  She would be the last one to leave church each Sunday, as she always found someone to talk to about her family.

Kathy loved flowers, especially her orchid collection and her beautiful hibiscus plants.  Kathy also enjoyed sewing, crochet, and knitting.  She loved to sew quilts and clothing, watch sewing shows, and teach others to sew.

Kathy was preceded in death by her daughter, Marilyn, her parents, and many brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, and several nephews.

Kathy is survived by her loving husband of 61 years, Gordon Hagfors of Sioux Falls, their children: Robert (Kandrea) Hagfors of Anderson, SC, and their children Liberty and Legacy; Christine (Mark) Finstrom of Belle Fourche, SD, and their children Daniel, Grace (Mason) Jones, and Megan; Suzanne (Rolland) Woodward of Sioux Falls, and their children Jackson, James, Jacob, and Lauren; one great-grandson, Jameson, and many nieces, nephews, and other family members. 

A funeral service to celebrate Kathy’s life will be held at Abiding Savior Free Lutheran Church on Saturday, August 9, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. Visitation with the family will begin one hour prior to the service. Following the service, all are invited to stay for lunch and continued fellowship. A private family burial will take place on Monday, August 11, 2025, at the South Dakota State Veteran’s Cemetery.

Live stream link can be found by going to the link listed below.  Live streaming will be providing by Abiding Savior Lutheran Church. 

https://www.abidingsaviorsf.org/media/live