Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First

Helen O. Hager

Helen Onita Hager, age 95, of Kimball, NE passed away February 17, 2016 at Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff. Funeral services were held in McCool Junction, Nebraska at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church of McCool Junction. Memorials may be given in Helen's Memory to the First Evangelical Lutheran Church in McCool Junction. Cantrell Funeral Home was in charge of the local arrangements.

Helen Hager born on the family farm east of McCool Jct., NE on Feb. 28, 1920. Her early childhood consisted of helping on the family farm raising chickens, cattle and farming with horses. She attended K-12 school at McCool Jct., NE and the family attended the First Evangelical Lutheran Church. She met her future husband & lifetime soulmate Richard (Dick) at school and they were united in marriage on June 28, 1941. To this union three sons were born: Dennis G. Hager (Diana), Virgil L. Hager and Roland (Rollie) Hager. Early in their marriage they spent a short time in California as Dick worked in the North American B-25 Factory and she worked in a soda fountain / pharmacy. About this same time Dick was drafted into the Army and she ended up traveling a lot across the United States with their son Denny by train following her husband to various military bases until he was called overseas during World War II. After the Japanese surrender and his discharge from the Army they started farming in York County eventually settling West of McCool, where they farmed and raised cattle for approximately 40 years before retiring to York, NE. Over all those years of farming including a home destroyed by fire, she milked many a cow, drove many a tractor, fixed many meals for a lot of folks, worked countless hours for her church which she loved, helped quilt many a quilt with the "quilt ladies" of the church, along with serving on many committee's for the church and other civic organizations. She was a friend to many and lived a very long hard working, but enjoyable life.

She is survived by her three sons: Dennis G. Hager and wife Diana, Virgil L. Hager and Roland D. (Rollie) Hager, 11 Grand Children: Tishia Skeie, Andrew Hager, Nicolas (Angie) Hager, Bethany Hager, Angelina Hager, Karry (Jerry) Thacker, Machell Hager, John Hager, Jana (Philip) Dobrowski with new life in the womb, Tori (Dan) Evertson and Brooke Hager and 12 Great Grand Children. She is also survived by several very special nieces & nephews: Phyllis (Neil) West and Bobbie & (Bud) Bolte who have done so much for her in visits and phone calls.

She was predeceased by her Parents (Robert & Clara (Smith) Young, Husband (Richard E. Hager), daughter-law's (Nancy Hager) & Roxann (Ann) Hager, her Brother (Boyd Young) and a host of other relatives and close friends.

She will be missed by all, but she treasured all of you that knew her. She has lived a Good Life and her journey on earth is complete.