Ruth Ann Hager

RUTH ANN HAGER, age 68 of Waseca, died on Saturday, August 29, 2015 at her home.

Born on May 22, 1947 in Waseca, Minnesota, she was the daughter of Maynard and Eilene (Evenson) Johnson.  She graduated from Waseca Central High School in 1965 and Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter with a B.A. in English.  Ruth Ann married Terry Hager on April 25, 1970 and they were later divorced.   Following college, she lived in Minneapolis and worked for Traveler's Insurance before moving to Mitchell, SD, in 1972.  In Mitchell, she hosted a television talk show, interviewing a wide range of local, statewide, and national celebrities including Sen. George McGovern and Pat Boone.  She went on to work at West Publishing in St. Paul for a time, then moved to Vermillion, Ohio where she lived for ten years.  While there, she and a friend started a business, "Rinky Dinky Inks" creating painted door-stops and display characters.  Upon her return to Waseca, Ruth Ann worked at Clear Lake Press and the Waseca County News for 10 years where she held positions of reporter, news editor, and managing editor throughout her tenure. 

She enjoyed painting, reading, and her book club.  She was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Waseca and served on the boards of the United Way and Waseca Area Foundation.  She was an avid genealogist, tracing family histories back to Norway, and was an accomplished painter, creating gifts for friends and family that are cherished. 

She is survived by three children, Jason Hager of Waseca, Courtney (Andy) O’Brien of Burnsville, and Cameron (Jen Woyda) Hager of Columbia Heights; and four grandchildren, Griffen Hager, Alix O’Brien, Joe O’Brien, and Arlo Hager.  She is also survived by her mother, Eilene Johnson of Waseca and one sister, Sandra (Pat) Connolly of St. Paul.  She was preceded in death by her father.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, September 6, 2015 at 3:00 PM at Grace Lutheran Church in Waseca.  Visitation will be held on Sunday, from 1:00 PM until the time of services at the church.  Burial will follow at Le Sueur River Lutheran Cemetery. 

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