U.S. Congressman Jim Hagedorn, of Blue Earth, died last Thursday evening, it was announced as this issue of the Faribault County Register went to press.

“Congressman Jim Hagedorn passed away peacefully on Feb. 17,” a statement from his campaign office stated. “He was surrounded by his wife, Jennifer, extended family, and friends. For more than three years, he battled kidney cancer while working vigorously day in and day out for the people of Minnesota’s First District.”

Rep. Hagedorn had been in Congress since 2019 serving Minnesota’s First Congressional District. He was 59 years old and was born on Aug. 4, 1962, in Blue Earth to Tom and Kathleen Hagedorn. He spent some of his youth on a farm outside of Truman.

“Jim loved our country and loved representing the people of southern Minnesota,” his wife, Jennifer Carnahan posted. “Every moment of every day he lived his dream by serving others. There was no stronger conservative in our state than my husband; and it showed in how he voted, led and fought for our country.”