Rose Ann Hager was born on March 27^th, 1920 in Eller Township, Pierce County, North Dakota to Joseph L. and Catherine (Keller) Hoffert.  She peacefully passed away one day shy of her 98^th birthday on Monday, March 26, 2018 at the Heart of America Care Center in Rugby, North Dakota. 

Rose grew up on the family farm outside of Filllmore and graduated from Silva High School in 1940.  After graduation, she helped on the family farm and then traveled to Kentucky to live with her Aunt.  Rose was united in marriage to Andrew E. Hager on October 8, 1945, at the Little Flower Catholic Church.  The couple made their first home in Rugby until purchasing a tavern in Balta in 1947, which they operated for 30 years.  They called Balta their home for over 58 years. 

Rose loved her family dearly.  She was a wonderful homemaker that enjoyed baking bread, buns and kuchen, making german potato salad, pickled eggs, potato sausage and all her families favorites.   Rose was a skilled seamstress, enjoyed dancing, doing ceramics, attending mass, playing cards & gardening – producing enough for all her family, friends and neighbors – just as she wanted it!  Rose loved to sit and soak up the sun and was often seen taking long walks with her friend Josie.  Sunday evenings were spent watching Lawrence Welk and if any event was going on in the community of Balta, Rose and Andy were part of it.  In 2005, they moved back to Rugby to an apartment, then spent her final years living in the Haaland Estates.

Rose was a member of Little Flower Catholic Church and was a past member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Balta.  There she cared for the alter linens and flowers.  She was active in Christian Mothers, homemakers, and a CCD teacher.  She lived life to the fullest and embraced all who entered her life.

Her surviving family includes children, Diane (Ray) Leier of Rugby, Joletta (Dave) Stevens of Clemmons, NC, Darrell and Lonnie (Corinne), all of West Fargo; 8 grandchildren, Karla (Philip) Butz, Kristan (Greg) Waltz, Tami (Travis) Lemar, Todd Leier, Brian Stevens, Scott (Lauren) Stevens, Chad (Jessie) Hager and Kyle Hager; 12  great grandchildren, Preston & Tatum Butz, Natalie & Andrew Waltz, Peyton & Grace Lemar, Hudson Hooker, Cole & Keira Stevens, Hank Stevens, and Drew & Brooks Hager; one Brother, Phil (Lilia) Hoffert; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many, many friends.  She was proceeded in death by her parents; husband, Andrew; brothers, Tony (Ann), Ludwig (Johanna), Pius (Rose), Pete (Helen); sisters, Margaret (Wendel) Heilman, Mary (Joe) Duchscher, Barbara (Frank) Piatz.

Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 7^th at the Little Flower Catholic Church in Rugby with burial at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery in Mandan on Monday, April 9^th at 11:00 a.m.  Father Tom Graner, Celebrant.

Visitation will be held on Friday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. with a rosary and vigil prayer service beginning at 7:00 p.m. at the Anderson Funeral Home in Rugby.  Visitation will continue on Saturday at the funeral home from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m.  There will be no reviewal at the church.