Andy Hager

Funeral mass will be held Monday, May 11, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. at Little Flower Catholic Church for Andrew E. “Andy” Hager, 91, who died Tuesday, May 5 at the Heart of America Medical Center.

Burial will be in the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery.

Andy was born in the rural Orrin home of his parents on June 7, 1917, the son of John M. and Anna (Kurtz) Hager. He grew up in the home of his parents and attended country school near his home. In 1927 the family moved to Balta, where he completed grade school. He began high school at St. Mary’s Academy in Devils Lake and later returned to Balta, where he graduated. Following his schooling he worked for area farmers and tended bar until he was inducted into the U.S. Army in May of 1931. He served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theatres during World War Ii and participated in the combat missions in Guadalcanal, the Solomons, East Indies and the Philippines. He received two Presidential Unit Citations and a Bronze Star. He was honorably discharged on May 31, 1945. On Oct. 8, 1945 he married Rose Hoffert in Rugby. The couple made their home in Rugby until purchasing a tavern in Balta in 1947, which they operated together for 30 years. During the years he owned the tavern, and after selling it, Andy worked for Pierce County hauling gravel, drove school bus, was a substitute mail carrier and did construction work and tended bar. Due to a fall at home this past February, he had been hospitalized at the Heart of America Medical Center.

He was a long-time member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Balta and a current member of Little Flower Catholic Church. He also enjoyed memberships in the VFW, American Legion, Knights of Columbus, Eagles, and the Balta Wildlife Association.

He is survived by his wife; two sons, Darrell and Lonnie, both of West Fargo; two daughters, Diane Leier, Rugby, and Jo Stevens, Clemmons, N.C.; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and other relatives.

He was preceded in death by two sisters, Kay Shirley and Helen Hager; three brothers, Pius, Rochus “Roy” Sr., and Bennie; and his parents.

Father Ross Lafromboise will officiate. Music will be provided by Bob and Randy Schaan.

Casketbearers will be grandsons, Todd Leier, Brian Stevens, Scott Stevens, Chad Hager and Kyle Hager. Military honors will be accorded by the Clarence Larson American Legion Post #23 honor and color guard of Rugby.

Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, May 10 and from 9 to 10 a.m. Monday at the Anderson Funeral Home in Rugby. There will be no reviewal at the church.

Arrangements by Anderson Funeral Home, Rugby.