Richard “Buck” Hagen

Richard “Buck” August Hagen, age 83, of Neillsville, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on May 12, 2026, at Riverside Assisted Living in Neillsville, WI.

Buck was born on June 28, 1942, at home in the Township of Weston, Clark County, WI, the son of Herman and Helen (Salomonsen) Hagen, Jr. He attended Greenwood Schools and graduated in 1960. Following his graduation, Buck served in the Wisconsin National Guard from 1961-1967.

On December 20, 1969, Buck was united in marriage to Margie (Pekol) Hagen in Willard, Wisconsin. Together, Buck and Margie were blessed with three children.

Buck, along with his brother Jesse, purchased the Skelly Gas Station in Neillsville, which they operated for several years. Following the sale of the gas station, Buck spent a couple of years working in road construction. He then found his true calling as a truck driver, a career he took great pride in. Buck concluded his driving career with Walmart, where he worked for 20 years.

Buck was a faithful member of St. Mary’s Parish in Neillsville, where he was actively involved as an usher and served on the decorating committee.

Buck enjoyed gardening, hunting, fishing and watching sports. Buck also enjoyed maple syruping with family, sharing stories, and tinkering in his shop.

Buck is survived by his wife Margie of Neillsville, WI, children Peggy (Dave) Steinke of Rothschild WI, Connie (Chuck) Walls of Holmen WI and Kevin (Andrea) Hagen of Stevens Point WI, siblings Jesse Hagen of Mead Lake, WI, Louise Kuester, Calvin Hagen, Mark Hagen, and a sister-in-law Kathryn Hagen all of Neillsville, WI, as well as 13 grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his mother and father-in-law, sisters Kathleen Turner and Karan Peters, a brother Quentin "Kinky" Hagen, a brother-in-law Henry Kuester, and sisters-in-law Patricia Hagen and Loretta Hagen.  He is also preceded in death by close friend and brother-in-law Frank Pekol.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, May 22, 2026, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Neillsville. The Celebrant will be the Reverend Father Greg Michaud. Interment will be in St. Mary Catholic Cemetery following the Mass. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, May 21, at the Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville and from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Friday at the church. There will be a Rosary service at 6:45 p.m., Thursday, May 21, at the Gesche Funeral Home.

Online Condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com. 

Gesche Funeral Home and Cremation Service is assisting Buck’s family with Funeral arrangements.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.