Whitey Hagen steals show again in fight for cancer

Even though he says it's not about him, but because of the valiant efforts of many fighting for a cancer cure, Whitey Hagen again took center stage.
At 86 years of age, Hagen is not about to turn down the chance to balance a bar tray on his head and collect $487.25 with the help of his granddaughter Brenna Hagen. 
Brenna and her grandfather teamed together to walk through a crowd of 120 patrons at the Geneva Bar & Grill, asking them to place some greenery in their bar trays. 
Hagen was one of the originators of the cancer auction in 1984. "I am just thrilled to be part of this," Hagen said with emotion.
Hagen, his wife LeJune and former Geneva Bar & Grill owner Hank Thompson and his wife Judy (since passed from cancer) sat down one afternoon in 1984 and decided something should be done to fight cancer. 
Whitey's brother, Richard, died from cancer at age 47 in 1983. "Hank told me, why don't you have an auction in memory of your brother," Whitey recalls. Hagen had previously worked with a fundraising auction in Albert Lea at Eddy's Bar, thus he knew some of the tricks to make such an event successful.
Hagen has been part of 35 annual cancer auctions, the 2019 auction split into two weekends, last Friday and Saturday and this Friday and Saturday, Jan. 18 and 19.
"We are fighting to keep people cancer free," Hagen barked into a microphone, at times overcome by a buzz of talk throughout the bar. "Let me have your attention," Hagen commanded. "Boy, it sure got quiet,” he chuckled.
A highlight of Saturday afternoon's auction was the presentation of 12 yellow roses to Hagen and his wife LeJune. Karen and Erling Hommedahl of Owatonna presented the roses to the Hagens in honor of their 62nd wedding anniversary.
Hagen then took the microphone and auctioned off the 12 roses, $62 a piece. His wife bought one as did one of their sons. The roses netted $744.
Offering his wry sense of humor, Hagen was corrected by his wife when he said he had been married 66 years. "It's 62," LaJune said. "It seems like 66," he laughed.
It all about believing in a cause, many of the auction guests said.
Teresa Chapman, executive director of the District Five Eagles Telethon in Rochester, was introduced by Hagen and saluted Hagen on a triple achievement: 62 years of married life, 86 birthdays and 35 years in working with the Geneva Cancer Auction.
Hagen said the auction is now run by his three sons, Keith, Greg and James.
The auction definitely energizes Hagen and anyone who associates with him. Chapman said the Eagles telethons have raised over $16 million over time.
The Geneva auction raised $110,000 last year. This year's total of course will not be known until next Sunday. A wild game feed brought in $18,000 and will be added to the overall fundraising total.
"I'm very proud of Whitey," says an adoring wife LeJune.
Hagen is most grateful to the people who support the Geneva cancer auction each year. "It's all about you," he said.
Many food items were placed on auction as were hand-crafted pieces. Patti Anderson came from Clear Lake, Iowa to be part of the auction. She bought a cheesecake pie made by her friend, Mary Jo Senne of Northwood, Iowa. Mary Jo owns MJ's Cheesecakes of Northwood.
Hagen definitely has a large heart. In addition to fighting for a cure for cancer, he pays tribute to a Korean War buddy, Paul Mehle. Hagen wears a VFW medal in his honor. He was killed on July 15 and the war ended 10 days later.
"All the people here today are important," Hagen told the crowd. They responded with loud applause. Hagen jokingly responded, "Is the applause because I'm not going to be around much longer?"
The funds now go to the Eagles Cancer Telethon in Rochester, to the University of Minnesota and to the Hormel Institute.