Milton Hagerstrand

Milton L. Hagerstrand of Pewaukee entered into eternal life on Monday, August 25, 2025, at his home, at the age of 94. He was born in Waukesha, Wisconsin, on August 12, 1931, the son of Erland and Edna (née King) Hagerstrand. Milt grew up in Waukesha and graduated from Waukesha High School in 1951. Soon after, he served his country, proudly and bravely enlisting in the United States Air Force. He rose to the rank of staff sergeant during the Korean War and was decorated for his service-an achievement he carried with lifelong pride. The center of Milt's life was always his family. On March 30, 1957, he married the love of his life, Marilyn D. Kraeblen, at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Waukesha. Together they built a beautiful life and were blessed with three children: Robert, Sheryl, and Brian. Following his military service, Milt worked as a machine parts inspector at Waukesha Motor Company, then served the community as a postal worker at the Waukesha Post Office from 1957 to 1969. He later spent a decade at Scientific Plastics and went on to continue his career working 28 years as a Power Plant Operator at Waukesha Memorial Hospital. Milt and Marilyn shared a deep passion for preserving local history. Together they collected Waukesha memorabilia, becoming well known in the community as dedicated local historians and experts. Milt was a proud founding member of the Waukesha 1834 Club and a member of the Sons of the American Revolution. Their shared love of genealogy allowed them to trace family lines back for centuries, a legacy that continues to inspire their children and grandchildren. Milt will be remembered as a kind, thoughtful, and hardworking man, devoted above all to those he loved. Handy and resourceful, he was always ready to lend a hand and could creatively fix almost anything. With his calm and reflective presence, he listened with patience and spoke with wisdom. He delighted in spending time with family, whether camping, hiking, exploring national and state parks, or picking asparagus with his children. A gifted storyteller, he never lacked for fascinating tales and treasured sharing them with those around him. Milt will be deeply missed by his loving wife of 68 years, Marilyn Hagerstrand. He is further survived by his children: Robert (Debbie) Hagerstrand, Sheryl Gerstl, and Brian (Cindy) Hagerstrand, all of Waukesha; his brother Robert; sister-in-law Donna Hurula; six grandchildren Laura (Chris) Beukema, Julie (Noé) Rodriguez, Paul Gerstl, and Mikael, Samuel, and Briana Hagerstrand, and six great grandchildren; John, Luke, Hannah, and Benjamin Beukema, and Vincent and Elena Rodriguez. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brothers Don, Leonard, Martin, Russell, and William, and sister Ellen (Ray) Frey, foster siblings Bill, Betty, and John Hurula, son-in-law John Gerstl, and his parents-in-law, Myra and Walter Kraeblen. Milt leaves behind a legacy of love, faith, and family devotion that will be carried forward by all who knew him. Visitation will be held Monday, September 1, 2025 from 11:30 a.m. until the 1:00 p.m. funeral service at Cesarz, Charapata, & Zinnecker Funeral Home at 237 N. Moreland Blvd. Waukesha 53188. A light luncheon with refreshments will follow. Interment will be held Tuesday, September 2, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. at Prairie Home Cemetery in Waukesha. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are appreciated to The Salvation Army – Army Lake Camp or to the National Honor Flight Network.