Esther E.M. Hagemann (Schliske)

Esther Elfreda Mildred (Schliske) Hagemann

March 18, 1919 ~ September 11, 2016

Esther Elfreda Mildred (Schliske) Hagemann of Montrose, Colorado, was taken home to be with her Savior on September 11, 2016. She was born to Paul and Hattie (Hansch) Schliske in Vincent, Iowa on March 18, 1919. Esther was baptized and became a child of God on April of 1919. She attended school in Carpenter, Wyoming and graduated from Carpenter High School in 1937. On August 13, 1939, she married Harold D. Hagemann, a Lutheran Minister. They were blessed with 38 years of marriage and three children.  Esther was Harold’s dedicated associate and helpmate in the Lutheran ministry. She was a beloved minister’s wife in all the parishes served over the years:

Immanuel Lutheran Church – Burns, Wyoming

Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church – Ft. Lupton, Colorado

Grace Lutheran Church – Hudson, Colorado

St. John’s Lutheran Church – Denver, Colorado

Christ Lutheran Church – Denver, Colorado

Esther’s life was filled with love, compassion, kindness, energy, and vitality. She never met a stranger. She loved competition, starting when she played high school basketball and continued into later life when she won medals in the Senior Olympics for basketball shooting, race walking, and pool. Her grandchildren were amazed when at age 80, Grams could still kick her foot higher than her head. She participated in many activities and dances at Platt Park and Malley Senior Centers. She loved family time including camping trips, hiking, drives in the mountains, wild games of croquet, playing family games and cards.

Esther had a deep abiding faith and loved her Lord and Savior dearly and was eager to share that with others. Her entire life was centered around the church and church activities. The other loves in her full life were her family, her many friends, the “dear people” at Christ Lutheran Church, music and singing, playing the harmonica, taking walks, the Broncos, chocolate-chip-cookies, wonderful neighbors, beautiful sunsets, playing pinochle, and so many more things. Her deep love for others was reciprocated and she will be deeply missed, but we can be consoled in knowing that she is now with her Lord and Savior.

Esther is survived by her daughter, Sharlene (Paul) Magnarella, and sons, Delvin Hagemann, and David (Maggie) Hagemann; grandchildren, Christine (David) Ray, Mark (Jessica) Magnarella, Brad Magnarella, Bethany Hagemann, and David D. Hagemann; and two great-grandchildren, Esther Ray and Skylar Magnarella; her sister Eleanor Romsa (Schliske). She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold, in 1978. Also deceased are her parents and four brothers, Elmer, Hilbert, Robert, and Ronald, and two sisters Edna (Gallina) and Elsie (Penwell).

In lieu of flowers please consider a contribution to any of the following: HopeWest Hospice at 725 South 4^th Street, Montrose, CO 81401; Christ Lutheran Church at 2695 South Franklin Street, Denver, CO 80210; or Hope Lutheran Church at 600 North 2^nd Street, Montrose, CO 81401. There will be a Memorial Service for Esther on Saturday, September 17, 2016 at 1:00 P.M. at the Christ Lutheran Church at 2695 South Franklin Street, Denver, CO 80210. Crippin Funeral Home and Crematory is assisting the family with arrangements.