Enola Jane Youngquist of Hastings, Minnesota, passed away on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. She was 91 years old.
Enola Jane was born to Erick and Bertha Hage, who worked as hired hands on farms in the Menomonee, Wisconsin area. Raised alongside her two younger brothers, Richard and Arthur, she attended a one-room schoolhouse and eventually graduated from Spring Valley High School. As a second grader, her teacher taught her how to crotchet during lunch time. It began a lifelong passion for knitting and crocheting.
While living on Grand Avenue with three girlfriends, Jane worked as a secretary at Minnesota Federal where she met a young teller named Roger. A picnic date shared over a lunch hour turned into more than 65 years of marriage. They were married and began their lives together on the East Side of St. Paul, where they welcomed their first two children. In 1963, Roger was transferred to open the Hastings branch of the bank. They were blessed with another child, and continued to build their lives together for the next 50 years.
Jane worked as a homemaker, raising three children while also serving lunches at Hastings High School for many years. Because she led a life that reflected her deeply held faith, much of it centered around Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. She led the LCW as its President, helped to form Hannah Circle, trained others in the Bethel Series and Lay Ministry, attended Bible studies and services, crocheted hats, mittens, and scarves for those in need, and constantly raised and donated money for causes like Hastings Family Service and Lutheran World Relief.
Jane was known widely and well, and her reputation as a gentle, kind, and loving person preceded her always. Her family and friends will never forget the days spent with her making lefse and crafting homemade ornaments, and that she never missed a milestone, big or small.
Jane was preceded in death by her husband Roger, her parents, and her brother Richard Hage.
She is survived by her son David (Colleen) Youngquist; daughters Linda (Henry) Endres and Kathy (Scott) Fuchs; grandchildren Jason (Jamie) Youngquist, Alyssa Youngquist, Callie (Glenn) Petersen; Marty (Nicole) Endres, Laura (Walter Lyas) Endres, Dan (Ashley) Endres; Katie (Jarod) Traynor, Joshua (Miranda) Fuchs, Kirsten Fuchs, Jacob (Haley) Fuchs; great grandchildren McKenna (Mac), Luke, Leo, Charlotte, Addy, Samson, Charlie; Evan, Casey, Jay; Roger, Lucia, Alice, and Elliott; her brother Art (Ann) Hage, sister-in-law Dorothy Hage, and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Visitation will be held on Friday, Oct. 11, 2024, beginning at 9 a.m. at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church (400 West 9th Street, Hastings, MN). Funeral Service to follow at 11 a.m.
Memorials preferred to Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church or Hastings Family Service.
Arrangements are under the care of Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel.
