As we look into this new year, we would like to take time to look back on 2025 and pay tribute to those we lost who were part of the Mor-Gran-Sou Electric Cooperative family. It was with great sadness that we learned that past employees, Robert (Bob) Hagel, Lavila Meyer and Robert (Bob) Scholl passed away in 2025.

Robert (Bob) Hagel

Robert (Bob) Hagel of Mobridge passed away on March 25, 2025. Bob married his wife Audrey (Ducheneaux) in 1956, they lived in Timber Lake, SD and later made their home in Fort Yates with their two sons. Bob enjoyed the western lifestyle as he rode horses as a young boy and competed in saddle bronc in his later years. He has two sons and many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Bob began working for Mor-Gran-Sou Electric as a lineman in 1967 and retired in 1994. Additionally, Bob served on the Mor-Gran-Sou Electric Board of Directors from 1995-1996.

Lavila Meyer

Lavila Meyer, formally of Flasher, passed away on Feb. 14, 2025. She married her husband, Herman in 1964. They lived outside of Flasher where they ranched on the Diamond Lazy M Ranch raising sheep and cattle. They later moved to Kansas in 2020. Lavila was active in many organizations, groups and activities throughout her lifetime including the North Dakota Cattlewomen’s Association, North Dakota Cow Belles and various others. She was known to always have food for anyone who stopped by and was a wonderful cook. Lavila has two children and various grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Lavila began working at Mor-Gran-Sou Electric as accounts receivable and an office machine operator in 1964. She left less than a year later to stay home with her children and help on the ranch. In 1987, Lavila found herself once again working for Mor-Gran-Sou Electric where she worked as a coordinator surveying the membership. Once the survey ended, she was asked to stay on and work in the member service department and later dispatch and engineering. She eventually found herself back in the billing department until she retired in 2008.

“Lavila worked in various positions within the cooperative. Whatever position she held, her dedication to the Mor-Gran-Sou Electric membership was apparent,” says Jackie Miller, retired Mor-Gran-Sou Electric employee. “She was also known as quite the multitasker. Lavila would have two pans of buns baked for her family and made apple bars to share with her fellow employees before she got to work at 8 am.”

Robert (Bob) Scholl

Robert (Bob) Scholl of Mandan passed away on July 19, 2025. Bob grew up on his family's farm near Raleigh. He married his wife, Kim, in 1974. They have two sons, Jessy and Jerry. Bob was known for helping others with various needs. This included helping his parents, fellow co-workers and his wife. He had various hobbies including leathercraft, hunting, riding motorcycles, playing cards and traveling with family.

In 1975, the Scholls moved to Steele where Bob worked as a lineworker for KEM Electric Cooperative. A few years later they moved to Mandan where he joined Mor-Gran-Sou Electric. At Mor-Gran-Sou Electric he worked as a journeyman lineworker and later became foreman. He retired from the cooperative in 2015 as an engineering technician.

“Bob was the guy who always brought a positive attitude. He was an excellent lineman and teacher of the lineworker trade,” says Jason Helgeson, senior staking technician at Mor-Gran-Sou Electric. “His willingness to always help others on and off the job and his dedication to restoring power and serve our Mor-Gran-Sou Electric members was top notch.” 

To their family and friends, please know how much we appreciated their shared time and talents as they served the members of Mor-Gran-Sou Electric and that the board of directors and staff express our heartfelt condolences. They will be deeply missed.