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April 9, 1956-Aug. 8, 2026
Minot
John Hagenstein, 70, Minot, died August 8, 2026 in Minot.
John was born April 9, 1956, in Minot, ND to A.D. 'Buster' and S. Grace (Soltis) Hagenstein. He attended Minot Public Schools, where he excelled in swimming and was an accomplished saxophonist in middle and high school. John graduated from Minot High School in 1974.
He continued his education at Wahpeton State School of Science, where he earned an Industrial Electrical Degree. He immediately put his degree to use in Inez, Kentucky working as an electrician on heavy equipment, mainly the dragline/shovel for the local mining operation.
John moved to Glendive, MT in 1975, after securing a job with the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad. It was in Montana and at BNSF that he met the love of his life Pam Gimbel. They married on May 25, 1991 in Glendive, where they made their home and were blessed with a son Abram in 1995.
He continued his work as an electrician for the railroad continuing his education and certifications to repair whatever was in need. They moved to Minot in 2003. John continued with the railroad until his diagnosis with Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP) caused him to retire in 2013. He battled for fourteen years with his family beside him through countless infusions and constant pain. In 2013, Pam passed away after a courageous battle with brain cancer.
John was confirmed and baptized at First Presbyterian Church in Minot. He was a member of the Moose Lodge and quite a pool shark, participating in many leagues during his playing days. Any spare time was spent on the lake enjoying the head shake of his next walleye alongside his favorite fishing partners Jerry Wheeling and his son Abram. John treasured the many summer nights they shared as a family at their cabin in Parshall Bay on Lake Sakakawea.
John is survived by his son Abram, Minot; sister Mary Jo Hagenstein, Minot/Horace, ND; brother and sister-in-law Monte and Kathy Gimbel, Paradise, TX along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
John was preceded in death by his parents, wife Pam, and brother Alan.
Remembering the Life of John Hagenstein: 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 19, 2026 at Cornerstone Presbyterian Church, Minot.
To view a livestream of the service or to share memories and condolences access www.thomasfamily funeralhome.com
Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot, ND
Visitation: Tuesday, August 18, 2026 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials are preferred to the Neurological Department of Mayo Clinic to battle CIDP in John's honor.
Published by The Minot Daily News, August 14, 2026.