JAMES DALE HAGER 1935-2006

SANDRY, HAGER, MOEN, LUBAHN

Posted By: Mary Durr (email)
Date: 2/15/2006 at 20:30:11

James Hager

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon.

James D. Hager, 70, of Waukon, Iowa, died Friday, February 3, 2006, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, Minn. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, February 8, at 11 a.m. at Zion United Church of Christ in Waukon, with Rev. Richard N. Eick officiating. Burial with graveside military rites will be in Oakland Cemetery, Waukon. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon.

James Dale Hager was born in Waukon August 19, 1935, the son of Edward A. and Elsie A. (Sandry) Hager. He was baptized and confirmed at Zion United Church of Christ and graduated from Waukon High School in 1953. Jim joined the US Army immediately after school. He served as a sergeant in a division of Army security, working as a Morse Code Interceptor, and saw extended duty in Korea and Japan. Following his discharge in 1956, he returned to Waukon where on September 23 he married Bonnie Phyllis Moen at Zion UCC. He spent a time working for his dad at Hager’s Quality Foods before beginning work as a mechanic for Mark Mauss Chevrolet.

After developing an interest in tractors and farm machinery, he went to work at the local John Deere dealership where he stayed for 18 years. Following that, he partnered with Gene Schulte at J&G Repair in Waukon for another 18 years before retiring in 2002. Currently he had been driving the transit van for Northeast Iowa Community Action Corporation.

Jim was an active, lifelong member of Zion UCC where he served on the council as well as being a confirmation mentor. He was also a member of the VFW, a former member of the local barbershoppers, and a long-time loyal member of the Waukon Pioneer Fire Company. Jim loved being outdoors and enjoyed camping, riding horses, snowmobiling, and animals of all kinds. He was also an avid NASCAR fan and liked to attend shows and collect models of vintage cars. A true mechanic, he took meticulous care of his vehicles and tools and enjoyed keeping things around the house in order. For a number of years Jim has also been a regular supporter of Children International and St. Jude Children’s Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. He enjoyed being with people and was a devoted family man as well as a loyal friend.

Survivors include his wife Bonnie of Waukon; two sons, Mark and friend Pamela Miles of Winona, Minn., and Rick of Silver Springs, Fla; a sister, Donna (Ernie) Lubahn of Waukon; and a sister-in-law, Elsa Hager of Waukon.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son Michael; and a brother Keith.

Casketbearers are his nephews, Terry, Dennis, Scott, Randy, and Troy Lubahn, and Steve, Donn, and Bob Hager. Members of the Waukon Pioneer Fire Company will serve as honorary casketbearers.

Waukon Standard, February 8, 2006