Linda Kay Hager was born on March 22, 1951, in Poplar Bluff, MO; to C.W. and Juanita (Matheny) Craig and passed away surrounded by her family on December 19, 2016, in Ulysses at the age of 65 years, 8 months and 27 days.
Linda grew up in Gideon, MO, where she graduated from high school with the class of 1969. After high school she began working at Federal Mogul in Malden, MO for three years. She met Ricky Layne Hager at a gathering; they were united in marriage on November 17, 1973, in Tallapoosa, MO. After their marriage Linda became a stay-at-home mom to the couple three children. Ricky farmed in Missouri until the late 1970's when the family moved to western Nebraska where Ricky was working in the oil fields. After the bottom dropped out in the oil industry, Ricky went to college and earned a degree in Aviation. The family lived in Missouri, South Carolina and Colorado until they moved to Ulysses in 2007. Linda enjoyed cutting and splitting wood, helping Ricky in carpentry work. She loved fishing, camping and being with Ricky. Linda also loved quilting, gardening, music and singing, but the most important thing to know about Linda was her love of Jesus and bringing people to know him personally.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Linda is survived by her husband Ricky Hager of Ulysses, three children, Jerry Hager and wife Janice of Ulysses, Ammie Mitchell and husband Kendall Hawthorne of Malcolm, and Julie Hager of Seward, nine grandchildren, Linda, Tanna, Samantha, William, Tyler, Tiffany, Emma, Alice and Jerry Jr., two brothers Phillip and Allen Craig, along with numerous extended and "adopted" children and grandchildren.