Verne Hagemeier

Verne Hagemeier

07/21/1950 - 10/20/2025

Verne Hagemeier, 75, passed on October 20, 2025 to join his loved ones in Heaven. He was the youngest and last surviving Hagemeier brother born to Harold Edwin and Ednamae Evlyn (Dean) Hagemeier on July 21, 1950, in Cheyenne, Wyoming.  He grew up on a farm in Hillsdale, and though he worked hard (he milked the cows in the early mornings), he loved growing up on that expanse of land and the adventures he had there. Verne had a playful and slightly mischievous nature, not unusual for little brothers. In high school, he participated in Future Farmers of America, played basketball, sang in choir, played trumpet in band, and joined theater productions.  He graduated co-valedictorian of his high school senior class of five, an amusing reflection of growing up in rural Wyoming.

Verne joined the U.S. Army in 1973, which gave him the opportunity to travel and learn new languages like Mandarin and Korean. Over the years, he was stationed at Fort Lewis in Washington, Fort Ord in California, Camp Humphreys in South Korea, and Fort Huachuca in Arizona, where he retired with the rank of Master Sergeant. It was in Korea that Verne met his first wife, Chong Ae, with whom he had three children: Stephen, Amy and Esther. Together they traveled wherever the military sent them. Verne loved a good road trip and took his family on memorable vacations to the Grand Canyon, Devil’s Tower, Mt. Rushmore, and back to the farm in Wyoming. He would also adventure on his touring Yamaha motorcycle, taking in new landscapes, sometimes with one of his kids in tow. When stationed in Fort Ord in the 1980s, Verne joined the Fogbusters Motorcycle Club, which he appreciated so much that he kept his club vest full of event pins for the rest of his life. 

After retirement, Verne continued to serve his country as a contracted civilian on post, ultimately playing a leadership role in the Defense Strategic Debriefing Course. He earned his MBA in International Business. Verne married his second wife, Judy, and became the stepfather of her children: Jennifer, Jamie, Justin and Joseph, the last whom he later adopted. During this time, he explored his entrepreneurial spirit with Judy. They became J&V Service in the 1990s, providing handyman labor throughout Sierra Vista. Later, they opened Yum Yum Island, a candy store kiosk in the Mall at Sierra Vista. Verne and Judy enjoyed concerts together and annually attended the Marine Corps Ball. They would also frequent the Crystal Palace Saloon in Tombstone.  Later in life, Verne and Judy adopted and raised their grandson Percival, whom they loved dearly.

Verne enjoyed all things beautiful. He was an avid photographer, purchasing his analog Pentax camera in the 1980s and later switching to digital. He took hundreds of photos, which he would send to his friends and family. His favorite subjects were roses, landscapes, the Sonoran sunset, the Huachuca Mountains and the Carr Canyon waterfall. At the end of his life, Verne would find great solace in music.

Verne is remembered for his incredible work ethic, his gentle yet adventurous spirit, his stories and sense of humor. He knew how to make people feel heard, and he would strike up conversations with anyone waiting in a line with him. It brought him joy to connect with people.

A few fun facts about Verne:

When he and his brother Walter were young, they modified their bicycles, hooking them together to create a two seater with three wheels that they could ride together. They were very proud of their creation and showed it to everyone that came to visit.

Verne had a Mustang that he would drive around the farm in the pasture where the land was nice and flat.

When he was stationed in Korea, Verne took a few acting roles in Korean TV shows.

To most of his children, Verne passed on his love of sports: Denver Broncos, Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Twins and the Wyoming Cowboys.

To his other child, he passed on his love of Star Trek.

Verne was proceeded in death by his wife Judy (Tipsword) Hagemeier; his stepson Justin Jarboe; his brother and his wife Robert and Evelyn (Richard) Hagemeier; his brother and his wife Charles and Geraldine (Glasscock) Hagemeier; his brother Walter Hagemeier; his parents Harold and Ednamae; his grandparents, uncles, aunts, two nieces and a nephew.

He is survived by his children - Stephen of CA, Amy and husband Brian of ME, Esther of CO, Joseph of AZ, and Percival; stepchildren - Jennifer of AZ, Jamie and husband Bryan of UT; grandchildren - Marcus, Neala, Kaylen, and Thorson Harold; his former wife Chong Ae Kim of CA; sister-in-law Carolyn Hagemeier of WY; and many nieces and nephews.

We are forever grateful to Verne’s niece Deborah for her gift of a kidney that extended Verne’s life over 20 years.

Services for inurnment will be held at the Cheyenne National Cemetery on July 21, 2026.

In lieu of flowers, please consider honoring Verne’s memory by donating to the PKD Foundation. Verne participated in studies to help advance the discovery of a cure for this genetic condition that affects many in his family, including his children. Your donation continues his legacy to improve the outcomes for future generations with PKD. 

https://support.pkdcure.org/VerneH

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Verne Hagemeier, please visit our floral store.