Marilyn Hager

Marylin Jane (Riner) Hager

Dec 28, 1930 — Jan 16, 2019

Marilyn Jane Hager died Jan 16, 2019 at her home in Madison, Alabama after a 2-year struggle following a stroke. She was born December 28, 1930 at Lima, OH, the daughter of Ralph and Pauline Riner. She was the oldest girl in a family of four children. Bright and active in school, she sang in the choir and also enjoyed business classes while at Lima High School.

On September 23, 1951 she married John Edward Hager of Sutton, Nebraska, in Lima’s South Side Christian Church(Disciples of Christ). John was still on active duty in the military and after a brief honeymoon he returned to his post in Alaska until he was discharged. Marilyn remained in Lima, and worked for a time as a secretary.

In 1958, John and Marilyn left Lima and moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, where John began work for Sandia Laboratories. They enjoyed many weekend trips to the Sandia Mountains and other surrounding scenic areas of New Mexico and were active in their church, Monte Vista Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) where they made many friends during their nearly 25years of membership.

On October 1, 1961, Marilyn gave birth to their first son, Mark, who survives her. On January 27, 1971, John and Marilyn welcomed their second son, Matthew, who survives her and served as Marilyn’s primary caregiver in her last years. Her husband of 67 years, John, also survives. 

Before failing eyesight and hearing loss began to take their toll, Marilyn was a friendly and outgoing person who enjoyed interacting with those she came in contact with (especially the employees of the Madison, Alabama WalMart where she regularly shopped). An expert cook, especially of Southwestern dishes — a skill she picked up living in New Mexico — Marilyn was also a top notch baker. She enjoyed many craft projects and spent a great deal of time recreating a combined needlepoint and embroidered piece featuring a colorful cockatoo sitting in a tree (a work that still adorns her living room). Many family members received handmade knitted or sewn gifts at the holidays over the years.

In addition to her immediate family, Marilyn is survived by her sisters: Linda (Riner) Morris, of Albuquerque, NM and Cheryl (Riner) Hempker of Cridersville, OH and a number of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Donald Riner.

The family will gather for a private service at her cremation. No public service is planned. Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one’s choice.