Dale “Hoagie” Haagenson, 65, of Duluth, died Tuesday, Feb. 17.
He was born Nov. 29, 1960, in Ely to Robert and Rita (Hart) Haagenson. He grew up in Babbitt, where he developed a lifelong passion for athletics. As a child, he played hockey, baseball and football on youth teams. In high school, he served as student manager for the hockey, baseball and football programs at Babbitt High School. He graduated in 1980.
Haagenson moved to Duluth in 1981 and began volunteering with the University of Minnesota Duluth Athletics Department as assistant equipment manager for the men’s hockey team. He served in that role for more than four decades, forming lasting relationships with staff and players. He celebrated three NCAA Division I national championships with the Bulldogs in 2011, 2018 and 2019.
A men’s hockey scholarship was established in his name, and he was inducted into the UMD Athletics Hall of Fame in 2017. In addition to his work with the men’s hockey program, Haagenson volunteered with UMD’s women’s hockey, football, soccer and baseball teams. He also volunteered for more than 20 years with the Duluth Huskies baseball team.
He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his brother, Dean Haagenson; nieces Kimberly Caudillo Haagenson and Amanda Haagenson; and other relatives and friends.
The family thanked the staff and players, past and present, of the UMD Athletics Department and the Duluth Huskies for their friendship and support, particularly in Haagenson’s final days.
Memorial donations may be made to the GoFundMe established to assist with funeral and Celebration of Life expenses and to support the UMD men’s hockey scholarship in his name.
A Celebration of Life will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24, at AMSOIL Arena in Duluth, with a program beginning at noon. The event will be livestreamed.
A Funeral Mass for close family and friends will be held Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary in Duluth. Visitation will be from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., with Mass at 6 p.m. and a reception to follow.
