Richard Hager
Funeral services were held Thursday, Oct. 7, 2010, at First Lutheran Church, Rugby, for Richard A. Hager, 59, of Rugby, who died Saturday, Oct. 2 at Trinity Hospital in Minot, after a farming accident.
Burial was in Persilla Watts Cemetery, Rugby.
Richard was born Jan. 26, 1951, in Rugby, a son of Anton and Anna (Wentz) Hager. He grew up on his parents’ farm near Balta. He attended grade school at Little Flower School, and graduated from Rugby High School in 1969. He went on to study mechanics and welding at Lake Region Junior College, graduating in 1972. He married Mitzi Lou Ostenson on June 23, 1972, in Rugby. He worked at Rugby Manufacturing Company for two years. He joined his father in farming and later purchased the farm in Elverum and Rosedale Townships, where he and his family continued to make their home. He raised Black Angus-Limousin cross cattle and small grains. In1989, the farm was awarded the Pierce County Soil Conservation award.
He is survived by his wife, Mitzi; children, Chantel Hoffert, Fargo, and Staci Hager, Green Bay, Wis.; two grandchildren; three sisters, Rose Smedsrud, Denver, Angela Burke, Bronx, N.Y., and Kathleen McCarthy, Minot; and other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents and in-laws; a brother, Raymond; two nephews; and one niece.
Rev. Don Andrews and Rev. Michael Pretzer officiated. Music was provided by Steve Mueller, soloist, and Barb Lee, organist.
Casketbearers were Bernard Benson, Roland Buhrow, Chuck Duchscher, Austin, Dallas, and Jim Hager, Curt Horner, Jon Lindseth, and Harris and Todd Lysne.
Arrangements by Niewoehner Funeral Home, Rugby.