In The Spotlight: Lloyd Hagen

Lloyd Hagen, 79, is a resident of Neenah. He attended Wisconsin School for the Deaf in Delevan for 11 years, graduating in 1942. In school he learned the printing trade and entered the newspaper field in Lake Geneva, Fort Atkinson, 1944. He then moved on to working at the Twin City News-Record in Neenah until the Appleton Post Crescent bought the paper out. He then transferred to that paper until he retired in 1989.

He married Lorraine Schommer of Freedom, WI, on June 2, 1945 and is looking forward to celebrating their 58th wedding anniversary. Together they have raised four children: Ronald in Winchester, Jim in New Hampshire, Carol Evensen, Neenah, Judy Witkowski, also of Neenah. Lloyd and Lorraine also have 10 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren.

Lloyd proudly talks about joining the Fox River Valley Association of the Deaf in 1944 and has been a member ever since, serving in various offices of that group. Lloyd was also the Vice-President of Wisconsin Association of the Deaf for 10 years.

Being connected with youth has also been important to Llyod as he taught bible stories to Deaf children in Oshkosh during religious breaks for two years, and has been a lay reader for a number of years in Lutheran Church for the Deaf (Pastor Bud Palmer, West Allis).

When asked what advice he has for younger D/HH people, Llyod says: “Try to get along with people.”

Lloyd is a fine example of a successful man who can serve as a role model to the D/HH community.