1922
2009
Magdalen M. (Bickler) Hager, 87, of Great Falls, formerly of Fairfield, a farm homemaker, died of natural causes Tuesday at a local nursing home. Mary Magdalen Bickler was born Oct. 30, 1922, to Lewis and Barbara Bickler, at the family farm in Orrin, N.D. She attended school in Balta, N.D., and Minot State Teachers College from 1940 to 1942. Magdalen then taught at a one-room school in Seltz, N.D. During that year, she met Ramaldus G. Hager. They married March 8, 1943, settling into a two-room sod farm house for their first two years. In January 1945, a daughter, Linda, was born. The following year their son Dion was born. The family moved to Montana where they farmed for 50 years on the Fairfield Bench. Once in Montana. another daughter and son were born: Collette and Mike Hager. Magdalen was no stranger to hard work, milking cows, raising 2,000 chickens, selling eggs, and cooking for many hired men throughout the years. She was famous for making her own bread and we all looked forward to her homemade cinnamon rolls and pies. Everyone who came to the door was welcome and never left without a wonderful meal. She enjoyed gardening, embroidering, dancing, bowling and crocheting. She made many beautiful tablecloths, doilies, potholders, and afghans to include in dowry boxes for all her grandchildren. In their retirement, she and her husband enjoyed traveling throughout the U.S. (Alaska and Hawaii), New Zealand, Australia and Europe. She was one of the original members of the Greenfield PTA, and was a member of the Eagles, Elks and Moose lodges. Magdalen was a member of St. Johns Catholic Church in Fairfield, and Guardian Angel Catholic church in Power, Mont. She also dedicated her life to the care of her daughter Linda and also included Lawrence Hanson and a foster daughter, Shirley Cure Brillhart, into her family. Magdalen is survived by her two sons and two daughters, Dion and Natalie Hager of Great Falls, Mont., Mike and Teri Hager of Fairfield, Mont., Linda Hager of Great Falls, Mont., and Collette and Skip Neuman of Power, Mont.; three sisters, Margaret Axtman of Rugby, N.D., Rose Sperry of Coos Bay, Ore., and Amy Jo Ellis of Brighton, Colo.; eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ramaldus, on April 17, 2008; her parents, Lewis M. and Barbara Bickler; brothers Pete, Wendell, Louis and Michael Bickler; and two sisters, Ludvina Volk and Sister Bernardine Bickler. Magdalen will always be remembered as a loving and wonderful great-grandmother, grandmother, mother and friend. Memorials are suggested to Quality Life Concepts or to St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Fairfield, MT. Condolences may be posted online at www.oconnorfuneralhome.com
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