Louise Hager

Louise M. Hager was born on March 23, 1933 to Oliver and Bella Meeds in Dillon, MT joining older brother Carl. Two years later she was blessed with a younger sister, Helen, who became her lifelong confidant and best friend. Two more brothers, Glen and Albert, joined them. She grew up in Dillon, Armstead, Lima, and Monida. She graduated as valedictorian from Lima High School and then went to Western Montana College, graduating from there in 1950. She attended business college in Spokane, Washington where she met her future husband, James Hager. They were married in May 1954 and lived in various places around Dillon while Jim worked on the railroad. In September of 1955 they had their first child, Cheryl. In May of 1957 they had a second child, Cindy, and a year later they welcomed their son Larry. They moved to Butte for a few years and then settled in Melrose, Montana where her youngest daughter, Kimberly, was born. She enjoyed her role as Mother and often took in cousins, friends and anybody who needed a hand. She babysat numerous children in Melrose. While in Melrose she taught typing at the Melrose School and later took over as janitor for the school and for the Sportsmen Motel.

Louise was a faithful member of the Butte Baptist Church and cooked at Castle Rock Bible camp every summer for many years while her children were little. She then joined the Melrose Baptist Church where she taught Sunday school teaching numerous children about the love of Jesus. She later joined the Dillon Baptist Church where she was a dedicated member and enjoyed her many friends at Women’s Christian Fellowship.

Louise moved to Dillon to take care of her Mother and lived there until 2017 when she moved to Boise, ID until she passed away on June 14, 2023 surrounded by her children. Louise loved to travel and see her children and grandchildren and had the opportunity to travel to numerous states and have lots of fun in Disney World, Disneyland, and the Grand Canyon, among many other excursions.

Louise is survived by her four siblings and children - Cheryl (Buck) Decker of Dillon, Cindy (Vince) Kozakiewicz of Boise, ID, Larry Hager of Holbrook, AZ and Kimberly (Steve) Kirchmeyer of Sacramento, CA. Louise had eleven grandchildren, Jason (Jackie) Hager, Robert and Brian Kozakiewicz, Beau (Sara) Decker, Lacy and Garee Decker, Jorie Hager, Miranda (Donald) Tyler, Joshua (Brittney) Hager, Connor (Chelsea) Hager, and Harrison Kirchmeyer. She had thirteen great grandchildren and one great great granddaughter. She was preceded in death by her parents and daughter-in-law Laura Hager