Terry Hager

Terry Hager, 68, of Grand Forks, ND died Sunday, July 26, 2020 at home with his family by his side. 

Terrence (Terry) Joel Hager, the son of Joseph and Mina (Dosch) Hager, was born on January 9, 1952 in Towner, North Dakota.  He grew up and attended school in Towner, graduating from high school in 1970. He continued his education at the State School of Science in Wahpeton, Aakers Business College in Grand Forks, received his BS in Elementary Education from UND, and his Masters Degree in Curriculum Development from the University of St. Thomas.   He married Judy Kostelecky in 1980, following a previous marriage to Joan Snyder in 1974. 

He worked in printing and insurance prior to beginning a 30-year career in teaching. He was a 3^rd - 6^th grade teacher in Grand Forks at Viking, Winship and Phoenix Elementary Schools until he retired from teaching in 2014. During those years, he also coached many sports teams. 

Terry served multiple years with GFEA both as a building representative and a government relations committee member. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed woodcarving and he loved taking care of his yard and decorating for the seasons. Terry was exceptionally proud of his Yard of the Week honors and being chosen as the “Griswold’s Home” in the Christmas Tour of Lights.  His favorite times were spent with friends and family playing cards or celebrating special events, especially if there were costumes or “the recipe” was involved. 

He had an undying love of UND Fighting Hawks Sports, in particular basketball and football. In 1997 he purchased and transformed the “Sioux-Per Tailgaters” Van, one of the first vehicles dedicated exclusively for tailgating at UND football.  He followed UND teams to many road games, especially for football and women’s basketball. A road-trip highlight was following women’s basketball teams to Elite Eight competitions and very vocally cheering at three national championships. 

He is survived by his wife, Judy; children, Laura in Fargo, Ryan (Tiffany) in Grand Forks, and Mariah in Grand Forks; grandchildren, Ava and Mia Hager; sister, Bonita (David) Tebow, Chaska, MN; sisters-in-law, Geri Glazer, Lafayette, CO, and Lucy Kostelecky, Dickinson, ND; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins located all across the US. He was preceded in death by his grandparents and parents. 

Due to COVID 19 Concerns:  A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, July 30, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church in Grand Forks. Terry’s family has asked that all in attendance wear masks and observe social distancing. The service will be recorded and be viewable online afterward.  Please choose what works best for your household and feel no pressure or obligation from the family. We are limiting exposure due to employment restrictions. For that reason, we are not hosting a visitation or luncheon. The interment at Calvary North Cemetery will be private and restricted to family only.  Since Terry loved sharing personal stories, the family invites you to leave a written memory at the memorial service for compilation. We have so enjoyed hearing and sharing Terry stories from friends and family.  

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to The Grand Forks Foundation for Education in Terry’s name.  

To view a recording of the service, please use this link: https://youtu.be/RFb8hQ_ZDqk