Ronald “Ron” “R.J.” Joseph Hager
Ronald “Ron” “R.J.” Joseph Hager, 84, Cadott, passed away peacefully Friday, Nov. 12, 2021, at his home.
Ron was born April 18, 1937, to Paul and Doris (Billard) Hager, in Bloomer.
The family moved to the Town of Sigel, in Cadott, in 1940.
Ron attended St. Joseph Parochial School and graduated from Cadott High School in 1955, were he played high school sports.
He entered the U.S. Air Force in 1955. He was stationed at Randolph Air Force in San Antonio, Texas, for two years; this was the base pilots were trained to release nuclear bombs from B52s. At Randolph Air Force Base, Ron received a topsecret clearance in special weapons.
From there, Ron was sent to Korea, on Christmas Morning 1957, via Wake Island, Midway Island and Japan. He was assigned to the 314th Air Division of Intelligence in Korea.
The Air Force taught him many lessons in life. He was proud to serve his country and felt it was his duty.
Ron married Shirley Parrish Feb. 3, 1962, at Immaculate Conception Church in Eau Claire. Ron and Shirley moved to the Town of Arthur, in 1963, were they built a successful and beautiful dairy farm, and happily raised their family until Shirley’s passing in 2005.
They were members of St. Anthony Catholic Parish in Drywood, where Ron was a past parish council president.
Ron was a dairy farmer during the day and worked nights for the state, at the Northern Center for Developmentally Disabled Adults for 30 years. He was also part owner of Crescent Bar and Store for 12 years.
R.J. was one of the four original friends who started the Chippewa Valley Music Festivals in Cadott, in 1986. He was also one of the original investors of Ace Ethanol in Stanley, Fox River Valley Ethanol in Oshkosh, and Sebastian Resorts in St. Augustine, Fla.
In his retirement years, R.J. loved to raise black angus beef. He was a lifelong farmer, caretaker of the land and loved tending to his herd.
R.J. loved a good polka, old-time country music and a good homemade meal. He was an avid reader, lifelong learner and sports aficionado. Ron loved the game, even when his Wisconsin sports teams did not have much to cheer about.
He had a great love of life. He loved visiting with his many friends and family for hours on end, and enjoyed talking farming, sports and politics. He loved to mow his beautiful, manicured lawn, had a green thumb with his flower beds, and enjoyed collecting John Deere Tractors and Gators.
Ron enjoyed many travels throughout his life, especially to the Dakotas, Upper Michigan, Texas, Florida, Hawaii, southwest United States, Washington, D.C., Canada, the Caribbean and Mexico. He enjoyed fishing in northern Wisconsin, Alaska, the Gulf of Mexico and Hawaii.
He is survived by three daughters – Kelley (Bruce), Cadott, Marritta “Teta” (Eric) Hager-Dummer, Madison, and Heidi (Jim), Cadott; grandchildren – Deidra (Luke) Rykal, Chippewa Falls, John (Miranda) Peterlik, Edgar, Desiree (Abe) Henricks, Colfax, Christopher (Molly) Peterlik, Chippewa Falls, and Celsey (TJ) Soine, Coon Rapids, Minn.; greatgrandchildren – Brooklyn, Nolan, Holden, Trace, Ross, Tatum, Paisley, Camden, Briggs and Hayden; sister-in-law – Anna Hager, Cadott; nieces and nephews – Cindy (Will) Cole, Kevin (Diane), Stacy (Scott) Greenwood and Nathan (Jess), and their families; his special friend – Pat Smoczyk, her family and friends; and his good friends – Dave, Bud, Joe, Mike and Lee.
He was preceded in death by his parents – Paul and Doris; his wife – Shirley; the painful and untimely death of his son – Curtis; and brother – Roger.
Ron will be greatly missed. The world is a better place for your presence.
Public visitation was held from 10 a.m. to noon, Wednesday, Nov. 17, at Leiser Funeral Home in Cadott. A private family Mass of Christian Burial was held at St. Anthony’s Catholic Parish in Drywood, with Father Eric Linzmaier offi ciating.
Interment with full military honors was held at the Brooklawn Cemetery in Cadott.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.leiserfuneralhome. com.
The family would like to thank Dad’s primary care provider, Brad Schauer, Dr. James Iwarkari, the staff at the Mayo Clinics in Rochester, Minn., and Eau Claire, and Mayo Clinic Hospice.
Our hearts break in losing you.
