Jon Hassler, author of `Staggerford,' `The Love Hunter,' dies

Author Jon Hassler, who chronicled the foibles of small-town life in "Staggerford," "Grand Opening" and other novels after starting his career late in life, has died. He was 74.

Hassler, who suffered from a longtime neurological disorder, died early Thursday at Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, said family friend Nick Hayes. Hassler had been in home hospice care since the holidays and entered the hospital on Monday, Hayes said.

Despite his deteriorating health, Hassler continued work on a book, "Jay O'Malley," until his death, Hayes said.

In a 1995 interview, Hassler told The Associated Press that he liked writing about misfits. "You can't write a novel about somebody who's perfectly happy," he said.

Hassler was born in Minneapolis in March 30, 1933, and grew up in the small north-central Minnesota town of Staples, where his father owned a grocery store. He graduated from St. John's University in Collegeville in 1955 before receiving a master's from the University of North Dakota. He spent years teaching before launching his writing career at 37.

He did not publish his first novel, "Staggerford," a semi-autobiographical story about a high school teacher in a small town, until seven years later. Hassler's other works include "Simon's Night," 1979; "The Love Hunter," 1981; "A Green Journey," 1986; "Grand Opening," 1987; "North of Hope," 1990; and "Dear James," 1993.

Funeral arrangements were pending.