Cheryl Hager

Nov. 1, 1963-Dec. 31, 2024

Balta

Once upon a time, a girl named Cheryl Hager was born on November 1, 1963 to Donald and Marie (Kuntz) Hager in Rugby, North Dakota. She was raised in rural Pierce County amongst nature, pets and livestock. She graduated from Anamoose Public School in 1982 and NDSSS in 1985 with a major in computer programming.

Although she loved living in Rapid City, South Dakota for her first job, it was just too far away from home, so she spent the next 15 years at Maintenance Engineering in Fargo. As parents aged, she moved closer home, spending the last 20 years or so in the Rugby area. Always one to keep occupied, she worked other jobs including 15 years at Hallmark, over 25 years with Avon, and selling bouquets of her folded money roses and other crafts. Her favorite second jobs were working at the greyhound racetrack in Rapid City and the hunting Lodge near Goodrich. She became a Friend of 4-H in Sheridan County, in 2006. The last fifteen plus years, she worked at Heart of America Ag Services in Rugby.

Cheryl loved going to rock concerts, particularly those at Sturgis, and traveling, taking several trips around the country. In the last few years, she took up target practice with handguns and had adventures that included skydiving and driving a race car in Las Vegas. She won her trip to the Bahamas through Avon. She loved sending out greeting cards, particularly milestone events marking family and friend’s lives. She loved decorating for holidays with a marked preference for Halloween.

Not one to stand idle, she helped organize the Balta Centennial in 2012, the Anamoose Quasquicentennial in 2023, and assembled the books for each. Genealogy became a big part of Cheryl’s life. She combined the 13 families into a single book that makes up the “Hager Forest”. She added numerous details to give the book more substance.

Cheryl cherished her only niece and goddaughter, Kaitlyn, and subsequently her children, Nora and Wallen. Cheryl is survived by siblings, Brad (Karmen) Hager, Drummond, MT, Tamara (Ted) Mertz, Anamoose, LeAnn Hager, everywhere in the world there is a crisis and Brent Hager, Rugby; niece, Kaitlyn (Brandon) Weidert; grand-niece Nora Weidert and grand-nephew, Wallen Weidert, all Des Lacs; half-sister, Kelly (Jeff) Michelson, Birchwood, WI; half niece, Erika (Rory) Poynter and children, Princeton, MN; half nephew, Travis (Jessica) Theis and children, Foley, MT; other relatives and friends. Cheryl is preceded in death by both sets of grandparents; her parents and other family members.

Diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in November 2020, the cancer metastasized to the right lung and then brain and liver. She fought courageously, always staying brave, positive and whether she knew it or not, she was an inspiration to many. She passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 31, 2024 at the St. Aloisius Care Center in Harvey.

A Celebration of Cheryl’s Life will be held from 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 2, 2025 at Dakota Farms in Rugby.

In lieu of flowers, Cheryl would like gas vouchers sent to the Trinity Cancer Care Center in Minot.

Not the end. Until we meet again!

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

Published by The Pierce County Tribune, January 11, 2025.