Obituary of Gerard Louis Hagedorn, Jr.

Funeral Services for Gerard Louis Hagedorn, Jr. of Winfield, MO will be at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 21, 2026 at Carter-Ricks Funeral Home near Winfield. Serving as pallbearers will be Ben Hagedorn, Nathaniel Hagedorn, Max Hagedorn, Kevin Steinmeyer, Tony Nix, Dan Liechenauer, Jack Hall, Emma Hagedorn and the Hazelwood Fire Department. Gerard, 47, passed away Sunday morning, March 15, 2026 at his home. Born June 22, 1978 in St. Louis, MO, he was the son of Gerard Louis and Therese Marie Smith Hagedorn, Sr. Gerard was a graduate of St. Thomas Aquinas High School and later earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Management from Bethel University in 2025. Gerard was united in marriage on January 1, 2024 in Winfield to Lara Kristie Melenbrink. Their home was blessed with five children: Maxwell, Emma, Jackson, Kara, and Sophia. Gerard officially began his career with the Hazelwood Fire Department on November 11, 2000. Over the years he served the community with dedication, professionalism, and leadership. In May of 2008 he became a front-line firetruck driver/operator and later achieved certification as an Acting Captain. On September 21, 2016, he was promoted to Captain, and in January of 2021 he was promoted to Battalion Chief of Training while also being appointed Deputy Director of Emergency Management. Gerard’s commitment to public safety extended far beyond the department. He served as Chair of Emergency Management for the St. Louis Area Regional Response System, Region C Representative for the Missouri Emergency Management Association, and as a member of SEMA’s Advisory Committee for the Emergency Management Program Grant. Throughout his career, Gerard was recognized many times for his service. He received multiple Life Saving Awards from the City of Hazelwood, the Above and Beyond Award for extraordinary customer service in 2009, several Unit Citations, and in 2019 he and his crew were awarded the Medal of Bravery. He also received many letters of appreciation from the patients whose lives he touched. Gerard was preceded in death by his parents, Gerard and Therese Hagedorn, Sr. Survivors include his beloved wife of 2 years, Lara Hagedorn of Winfield; three children: Maxwell Hagedorn and his significant other, Makenzie Glenn of Lake St. Louis, MO, Emma Hagedorn and her fiancé, Logan Johnmeyer of Troy, MO and Sophia Hagedorn of Winfield; and two stepchildren; Jackson Hall and Kara Hall, both of Winfield. Gerard also leaves two brothers: Benjamin Hagedorn and Nathaniel Hagedorn, both of Kansas City, MO; his father-in-law, Timothy Mellenbrink and his wife, Phoebe, of Wright City, MO; his nieces and nephews: Charles, Calvin, Clare, Lila and Peter; his Fire Department Family; other relatives and friends. Visitation will be held from 4:00-8:00 p.m. on Friday, March 20, 2026 at Carter-Ricks Funeral Home near Winfield. Memorials may be made to Backstoppers in care of Carter-Ricks Funeral Home, 3838 East Highway 47, P.O. Box 253, Winfield, MO 63389.