Laura Lee Hager

Laura Lee Hager, 64, of Bozeman, MT, took her last breath on Friday, January 5, 2024, at Bozeman Deaconess Hospital, the end of her struggle with multiple health conditions. 

One of the youngest born into a blended family, Laura was born on April 17, 1959, to parents Jack Hartry and Merlie (Robinson) Hartry in Glasgow, MT. In the late 1960s, Laura’s stepfather, Rich Heim, welcomed her and brother John to the family, adopting both children and moving to Great Falls, MT, where they ran a family restaurant and became members of the Cascade County community. 
 
 Laura attended Charles M. Russell High School, as well as Paris Gibson Education Center, then paused her scholastic endeavors to marry James R. Schuman, Sr. in 1975 and give birth to their son, James R. Schuman Jr. (Jim) in Great Falls.

Laura went on to receive her GED while living in Billings, MT, and working at Rocky Mountain College. Throughout the years, Laura worked as a data entry and customer service specialist, an aerobics instructor, banquet server, and waitress. Later, she found love with her partner, Scott Jordan, welcoming son Skyler Jon. 
 
 In 1992, Laura met Rob Hager, joining him in marriage on September 12, 1992, and adding Diesta, Robby, and Tana to her family and moving to his ranch outside of Bozeman, MT. Laura, Rob, and children made their home in the shadow of the Bridgers between Bozeman and Clyde Park, MT. They welcomed daughter, Amandalee (Amy), in 1993. Together, Rob and Laura built their dream home, a log cabin, in 1996. Together, the Hager family loved snowmobiling, shooting muzzleloaders, fishing, and ranching.  A dedicated community member, Laura joined the Brackett Creek Women’s Club and later joined the Miss Rodeo Montana organization in 2011.

Laura was proud of her son James (Jr)’s service in the Navy, and enjoyed her years as a rodeo royalty mom, gardening, painting, and collecting knick-knacks. In recent years, Laura filled her days running an Ebay store selling her beloved Montana Silversmith jewelry, traveling to visit her grandchildren, feeding “her” birds and bunnies, watering her yard and flowers, talking on the phone to her loved ones far and near, watching her favorite Wilson boys play sports for the Polson Pirates, driving to Applebee’s to watch the Bobcat football games, and keeping the wood stove burning on cold days. She had a competitive nature and loved playing cards for quarters with her family at every gathering, while teasing and harassing them endlessly as she called “quarter check!” 

Laura spent her life making others laugh; known for her quick quips, one-liners, and enormous love for friends and family. The cabin and family gatherings will feel very quiet in her absence - while Laura’s life has ended, her love has not. 

Laura was preceded in death by her biological parents, Jack Hartry and Merlie Heim; adopted father, Richard Heim; brother, John Heim; and stepdaughter, Diesta (Dee) Johnson. Laura is survived by her husband, Rob; children, Rob (Julie) Hager of Belgrade, MT, Jim (Sheri) Schuman of Seabeck, WA, Tana Hager of Bozeman, Skyler (Whitney) Hager of Littleton, CO, and Amandalee Hager of Belgrade, MT; grandchildren, Tyler Tiffany, Darrell Gibson, Taylor Johnson, Heidi Hager, Kayla Johnson, Cody Hager, Carson Hager, Perry Hager. And great-grandchildren; son-in-law, Kelly Johnson; as well as cousins, in-laws, and extended family members. 

A Celebration of Laura’s Life will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, April 20, 2024, at Dahl Funeral and Cremation Service in Bozeman. Following the celebration, a gathering and reception will be held in Clyde Park at the Shields Valley Community Center starting around 4:30-5:00 p.m.. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial or donation in Laura’s honor made to your local high school booster club, or to Montana Legacy Project, Inc., 637 33^rd Ave. NE, Great Falls, MT 59404, with memo “Laura’s Legacy.”