Delby "Del" Rey Hager

Delby Rey Hager, of Cass Lake, MN passed away at his home on May 5th, 2018 at the age of 69 after bravely battling cancer for the last four years.

Funeral Mass will be 11:00 a.m., Friday, May 11, 2018 at St. Philip’s Catholic Church, Bemidji with Fr. Chuck Huck officiating. A Time of Sharing will be 5-7 p.m. Thursday, May 10, 2018 with a 7 p.m. prayer service at Olson-Schwartz Funeral Home, Bemidji. Family will greet friends one hour prior to the service at the church.

Delby was born on June 16, 1948 in Minot, North Dakota to Frank and Irene Hager.  He grew up in Towner, ND and his family moved to Rugby when he was in 8th grade.  He graduated from Rugby High School in 1966 and was President of his class. He married his high school sweetheart, Janice Richter on August 31, 1968. He graduated from the University of North Dakota.  He joined the Booster Club and was always a proud supporter of UND. After pitching fastpitch softball for 32 years, Delby was inducted into the NDASA Hall of Fame in 1997.  He enjoyed playing basketball nearly every week of his life. Delby and Jan lived in Grand Forks until they moved to the Bemidji area in 2001. After moving to Minnesota, Delby joined the local Business Networking International (BNI) group.  He was active in St. Philip’s Catholic parish including membership in the Knights of Columbus. Delby served as a Supervisor on the board of Ten Lake Township for many years. Delby had a long career in sales, most recently working for Maintenance Engineering for the past 20 years. He was an avid gardener, card player and fisherman.  And most of all loved spending time with his family and friends. 

He is survived by his wife, Janice Hager; children, Karla (Chad) Frost, East Grand Forks, MN, Jennifer (Greg) Cleveland, Great Falls, VA, Michael (Karey Lee) Hager, Grand Forks, ND and 9 grandchildren, Maddie, Zack, Sam and Jillian Frost; Jack, Katie and Claire Cleveland; and Alyssa Hager and Anthony Carlson; his mother, Irene Hager, Rugby, ND and brother Delwyn (Jean) Hager, Grand Forks, ND; sisters-in-law, Joyce (John) Eastburn, Wichita, KS, Lori (RJay) Paul, Rugby, ND; brother-in-law, Tim (Mary) Richter, Cartersville, GA and nieces, nephews and many cousins.

He was preceded in death by his father, Frank Hager.

Online guestbook at www.OlsonSchwartzFuneralHome.com

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