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Donald Hager

Apr 8, 2023

Mar. 15, 1938-Mar. 27, 2023

Rugby

Donald J. Hager, died peacefully in the presence of his family on Monday, March 27, 2023 at the Heart of America Medical Center in Rugby, North Dakota. He reached the ripe old age of 85, a milestone not met by any male in his direct lineage; father was 61, grandfather was 62 and great grandfather was 70.

Donald was born on March 15, 1938 in Harvey, North Dakota, the fourth child of Moritz and Christine (Schatz) Hager. He attended his first eight years of schooling at Antelope Lake School #1, half a mile from the farmstead. He went two and a half years of high school in Balta, leaving after his sister Christine’s death. After high school, he continued farming and took over the family farm, southeast of Orrin after his father’s death in 1961, establishing himself as a third generation farmer. On September 15, 1962, he was united in marriage to Marie Kuntz at Little Flower Catholic Church in Rugby. Together they raised their five children.

Farming was his life, taking a drive every day to check the crops, even in his retirement. Over the years, Donald built up the original homestead to the organized farmstead it is today, something he was very proud of. In his earlier years, he was an avid hunter and fisherman, including trips to Canada for moose. Family was very important; he attended all weddings, funerals and family reunions. He had a fondness for polka music and it could be heard in the car and house every Sunday morning. He was so very proud to have a granddaughter, but he simply adored having a great granddaughter!

In the early 1990’s, Donald sold seed for Agri-Pro and Sigco, earning awards including Outstanding New Dealer, Most Improved Dealer and Safflower Volume Leader. Donald served on many boards, committees and clubs over the years including, 13 years on the ASCS community committee, 12 years on the Pierce County committee, 20-plus years on the Antelope Lake Township board, Sacred Heart Catholic Church board and was a 3rd Degree Knights of Columbus; Sacred Heart Cemetery Board until 2014 and a Harvey Eagles member since 1965. He was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Orrin until its closing in 2008, then became a member of the St. Boniface Catholic Church in Esmond. He entered the Haaland Estates in Rugby in August of 2022 and the Heart of America Medical Center March 25, 2023. He was blessed with many things in his life and was so proud of his family.

Donald is survived by his children, Cheryl of Balta, Bradley (Karmen) of Drummond, Montana, Tamara (Ted) Mertz of Anamoose, LeAnn of Washington, DC and Brent on the family farm; his granddaughter and great granddaughter, Kaitlyn (Brandon) Weidert and Nora of Des Lacs; brother-in-law, Dennis Dallmann of Lisbon; sisters-in-law Beatrice Schmaltz and Lorraine Mundahl; numerous nieces, nephews; other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Marie in 2018; his parents; brothers, Edward and Raymond; sisters, Christine Gumeringer and Isabelle Dallmann; sisters-in-law, Phyllis Sattler and Donna Hager; brothers-in-law, Don Holmstrom and Ray Gumeringer, August Schmaltz, Gene Kunnanz and Darold Mundahl; nephews, Edward Jr. and Ken; great nephew, Jamie Kramer and great granddaughter, Willa Weidert.

Mass of Christian Burial was held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, April 3 at the St. Boniface Catholic Church in Esmond with burial in the spring in the Sacred Heart Cemetery, Orrin. Father Steven Wirth, Celebrant.

Casket Bearers: Brian Hager, Steve Hager, Craig Arnold, Corey Olson, Billy Arnold and Keith Erdman.

Honorary Bearers: Anna (Ron) Kramer, Nida Hager, Linda Jensen, Lori (Volney Fasthorse) Hager, Doris (Greg) McKay, Sheila (Jeff) Grunst, Darla (Chad) Woodbury; great nieces/nephews Becky (David) Kraft, Renae (Skip) Christianson, Lonna (Todd) Potter, Julie (Ryan) Mantei, Chad, Thad, Brad and J’nida Hager, Casey Fasthorse, Gage Grunst, Josh Peterson and Lexi Woodbury.

Arrangements with the Anderson Funeral Home of Rugby. Online registry: www.funeralsbyanderson.com.

Published by The Pierce County Tribune, April 8, 2023.