Lura Elnora Hutcheson Hager, 97, passed away on April 16, 2018 at Grace Pointe Assisted Living Center in Greeley, Colorado where she had been a resident for the past several months. She was born on January 14, 1921, the fourth of the six children of William and Janie Hutcheson of Eaton, Colorado. Her brothers and sister have all preceded her in death.
Lura grew up on a farm near Eaton in a house which had no water or electricity; and, starting at age fourteen, she was primarily in charge of the household when her mother became incapacitated. Daily chores of cooking and cleaning were very difficult in that situation. Lura graduated from Eaton High School and married Ernest Hager in 1939. They began their life together on Ernest’s family farm, eventually worked in Golden, Colorado for a short time and then returned to farming in the area of Ault, Colorado.
The Hagers became the parents of five children; James, Gerald, Priscilla, Dan, and Glenn, all of whom survive their parents. In 1952 their farm crop was nearly destroyed by the seventh hail storm to hit that area in eight consecutive years. The decision was made to move to Greeley and seek other employment. Lura worked as a cook in the school lunch program starting at Maplewood Elementary School, transferring to Heath Junior High School where she would become manager of that lunch program, and finally opening and managing the cafeteria at the new Greeley West High School. Subsequently, she worked for the department of Health, Education and Welfare in the laboratory which performed tests on pesticides.
After retirement, Lura had time to enjoy several interests in the areas of needlework (particularly crochet), quilting, ceramics and the making of dolls. Her interest in dolls resulted in an extensive collection of commercially made dolls and also many dolls which she, herself crafted.
Travel was fun for Lura, and she and Ernest went to several places in the United States and abroad as members of a travel club. Gerald and his family included Lura and Ernie on several of their journeys to such places as Mexico, England, Scotland, France and Australia, and Lura accompanied many of her other children on various travels.
Masonic organizations were extremely important to Lura. She held many offices in her chosen organizations which were White Shrine, Eastern Star, Daughters of the Nile, and Zuleima Club. In White Shrine she remained active until just a few months prior to her passing.
In addition to her five children, she is survived by nine grandchildren, many great-grandchildren, and also great-great-grandchildren.
Lura’s life will be honored on April 28, 2018 with a burial service at 11:00 at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Greeley, a luncheon at 12:00 at the Masonic Building, 2532 Ninth Avenue, Greeley and a memorial service at 1:30 at the Masonic Building.

In lieu of flowers, donations be made to “Shriners Hospitals for Children” in care of Adamson Life Celebration Home, 2000 47th Avenue, Greeley, CO 80634.
To extend condolences to the family go to adamsoncares.com

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