Daniel Hager

Daniel Hager ObituaryObituary published on Legacy.com by Hertz Funeral Homes - Harvey on Mar. 7, 2026.The service will be recorded and uploaded on this page after the funeral service.Daniel Hager, 93 of Harvey died Saturday, March 7, 2026 at the SMP St. Aloisius Hospital of Harvey. Funeral services will be held on Friday March 20, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. at the St. Cecilia Catholic Church of Harvey. Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 19, 2026 from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the Hertz Funeral Home of Harvey. Prayer services will be held at the funeral home on Thursday at 6:00 p.m. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Arrangements with Hertz Funeral Home, Harvey, NDDaniel James Hager, 93, passed away on March 7, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family. Daniel was the second oldest of four brothers born to Pete and Lena (Grad) Hager. He was born on the family farm that he would one day own and where he would later raise his own family with his wife, Margaret (Deck) Hager, who preceded him in death on 5/30/2025. Daniel attended high school in Martin through his sophomore year before leaving to farm with his older brother, Wendelin. He often spoke fondly of his "batching days" with his brother. During that time, Pete and Lena moved to Martin, with the two younger brothers, Ronnie and Jerry, where they operated the Martin Bar. Daniel married Margaret Deck in 1955. Together they raised four children- Bruce, Brian, Brenda, and Bernadette-and also experienced the heartbreaking loss of a stillborn daughter, Brianna, which deeply affected him. Daniel was blessed with good health until 2016, when he suffered a stroke that impaired his vision, his ability to drive, and his short-term memory. He handled these setbacks with remarkable strength and faith, adjusting to his new circumstances despite how much he loved driving, socializing, and being out among people. In both Cooperstown and Harvey knew it was Daniel zipping around on his scooter headed to the grocery store or local tavern for a burger. Dan and Margaret spent several years in Cooperstown at the assisted living to be closer to Bruce and Kathy for their help and where they enjoyed getting to be "great-grandparents" to Kathy's grandchildren. Daniel was a well-known face in the Harvey community. A true "jack-of-all trades, he served as manager of the VFW, worked, a bartender and dealt blackjack at several establishments including the Eagles where he was known as the oldest living member and also a past president. He also worked for many years as a crop insurance adjuster. Daniel enjoyed playing cards and traveling, especially trips to Laughlin with friends to visit the casinos. He loved to drive and often took his family on road trips to visit family or friends in Montana, South Dakota or Colorado. In 1995, Daniel and Margaret began a very successful Lil' Orbit Donut business inside the Wal-Mart store in Minot. This was a joyful and memorable chapter in their lives. In his later years, Daniel grew strong in his Catholic faith. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and rarely missed daily Mass, either watching it on TV or attending services at his local church, St. Cecilia's. Sister Anne Germaine faithfully made sure he could attend Mass on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and he shared a special bond with her. The family extends a heartfelt thank-you to Sister Anne for the kindness, care, and friendship she gave our father. Also a special thank you to Daniel's fellow residents at the SMP Senior Housing for looking out for our father and helping him adjust after moving back to Harvey after Margaret's passing. We also want to thank Anna Axt who cared for our father and made this past year much easier for him and also to the nurses at St. Aloisius in charge of his comfort care. Daniel is survived by his four children: Bruce (Kathy) of Cooperstown; Brian of Franksville, WI; Brenda (Dan) Storseth of Conroe, TX; and Bernadette (Brad) Fisher of Azalea, OR; and his brother, Jerry Hager of Bismarck. He is also survived by five grandchildren: Charles (Caitlyn) Hager of Mandan; Cindi (Marc) Lindstrom of St. Louis Park, MN; Julian Hager of Sacramento, CA; Danielle (Chris) Tarver; and Angela (Grant) Cooper of Montgomery, TX. Daniel was blessed with eight great-grandchildren, including three through marriage whom he loved as his own: Isaac, Mason, and Caroline Hager of Mandan; Marlee and Trip Tarver of Conroe; and Benjamin, Maggie, and Eve Markel of Cooperstown. Also surviving are former daughters-in-law: Lori Hager of Fargo, mother of his beloved grandchildren Cindi and Charles; Julie McCoy, mother of Julian; and Christie Hager of Warroad, MN-all of whom cared for Daniel dearly. He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret; his brothers, Wendelin and Ronnie; and his parents, Pete and Lena Hager. Daniel never met a stranger and if he did, they weren't strangers for long. He was a man of deep faith and conviction and will be missed by all who knew him.To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.