Mary Hager

July 2, 1931 - May 15, 2022

Mary Virginia Hager, age 90, went to be with her Lord on May 15, 2022. Miss Hager was born on July 2, 1931, in Chicago, Illinois, and was the daughter of Dr. Harry J. Hager and Jeanette Vanderwerp. She grew up in Chicago where her father was the pastor of Bethany Reformed Church in Roseland. Mary graduated from Chicago Christian High School (1948) and later earned her B.A. in Phys. Ed. From Wheaten College (1952). She received advanced degrees in education and counseling from W.M.U. and M.S.U. Mary Hager was a teacher and guidance counselor at Zeeland Jr. High and Sr. High School for 29 years, retiring in 1986. Earlier in her career, she taught for two years at a country school in Frenchville, KY. She was a recipient of the Herman Miller Travel Scholarship and traveled to Asia and the Middle East, stopping to visit her sister Winifred and family in West Pakistan where they were serving as missionaries. In retirement, Mary lived at Freedom Village in Holland, where she was known for her interest in others and her love of Snoopy, Charlie Brown, and the whole Peanuts Gang. She was a faithful volunteer at the Holland Rescue Mission, WGMB (Moody) radio station, and at Calvary on 8th where she also served as chair of the World Mission committee. She was co-organizer of the Hager Family Reunion. Throughout her life, Mary Hager sought to uplift and encourage those around her and to serve Jesus Christ and build His Kingdom. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Winifred, and her brothers Norman and Harry. She is survived by her sister-in-law Carol Hager and her nieces Cheryl Hager and Carolyn Hager (Henry Fiorentini) of Chicago; her niece Mary Persoon (Jim) of Spring Lake, MI; niece Marcy White (Warren) of Stevensville, MI; niece Rachel Smith (Michael) of Upland, MI; and their children Emily, Steven, Elizabeth, Joshua, Anna Kate, and Jared. Visitation will be 5-7 pm Thursday, May 19, 2022, at Langeland-Sterenberg Funeral Home, 315 East 16th Street, Holland. The funeral service will be 11 am Friday, May 20, 2022, at Calvary on 8th, 955 East 8th Street, Holland. Interment will be in Pilgrim Home Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be given to Gateway Mission (formerly Holland Rescue Mission). www.langelandsterenberg.com