Helen “Kris” Hager, 85, of Kingsley, Iowa passed away on Saturday, August 13, 2016 at Kingsley Specialty Care. Funeral services will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 19, 2016 at the Johnson – Earnest Funeral Home in Kingsley. Rev. Robert Blair will officiate. Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 18, 2016 at the Johnson – Earnest Funeral Home. The family will be present from 5-7 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will resume at 9:00 a.m. on Friday at the funeral home.

Helen Kristina (Kris) was born on February 27, 1931 in Cherokee, Iowa, the daughter of Oscar Edwin and Hazel Jane (Miller) Johnson. Kris attended Grand Meadow Consolidated School, graduating in 1949. Kris and Luverne H. Schroeder were married May 22, 1949. They had three children to this union, Steven Gary, born April 12, 1950, Gary Brent, born May 10, 1952 and Rebecca Jane, born April 5, 1954. They divorced in 1962.

She attended the American Institute of Business 1950, Iowa State University 1951, Nettleton Business College 1961 to 1963 and Western Iowa Tech 1987. Through her years of employment, Kris worked for Dr. David Carver 1960-1961, Dr. Vernon Helt 1963-1964, Gulf Oil Corporation 1964-1968, Pawnee Corporation 1968-1969, the Francis Building Company 1969-1975, Kingsley Liquor Store 1977-1987, the Department of Human Services 1988-
1991 and WinnaVegas 1999-2000. Kris also modeled for a time in the 1960's.

Kris was a member of the Congregational United Church of Christ in Kingsley, Kingsley Historical Society and the Plymouth County Historical Society. She was a member of the American Business Women's Association and also a member of Hospice of Siouxland as a patient volunteer. Kris also volunteered on the Kingsley Community Ambulance Crew as an EMT.

On October 15, 1965, Kris was united in marriage to Louis W. Hager. Kris was an avid gardener and very proud of her iris beds. She loved to cook for people, making homemade buns for friends and family. One thing she tried very hard to keep alive were the Swedish traditions passed down from her father and extended Swedish family members. For many years an annual Swedish supper was attended by many family members and friends with the same heritage.
The symphony was a passion of hers as well as crocheting and spending time with grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Kris loved the outdoors and the farm she lived on for a little over 35 years. Many 4th of July picnics were held there at the pond in the timber and up on the hill.

She is survived by two sons, Steve (Kay) Schroeder of Kingsley, Iowa; Gary (Karen) Schroeder of Brooklyn, Iowa; a daughter, Jane Hager of Sioux City, Iowa; a brother, Duane "Bud" Johnson of Merrill, Iowa; one sister, Ramona (Chuck) Simmons of Raymore, Missouri; four grandchildren, Matthew Hager Schroeder, Angela Jo Becker, Joshua Edwin Schroeder and Paula Jo Bainbridge; thirteen great- grandchildren, Anastasia Schroeder, Toby Schroeder, Aurelia Schroeder, Matthew "Bear" Schroeder, Fawkes Schroeder, Alec Shultz, Kobe Grell, Breana Heath, Grace Becker, Nicholas Becker, Zachary "Ziggy" Becker, Lucille "Lucy" Becker and Ian Clay; a sister-in-law, Mary Johnson of Pierson, Iowa; brothers-in-law, Bill Smith of Versailles, Kentucky and Merlin Sievers of Wayne, Nebraska and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Edwin and Hazel; husband, Louis Hager; brothers, Oscar Edwin Jr. in infancy and Axel Dean Johnson; sisters, Ruth Marie Smith and Kathryn Elaine Sievers; sister- in-law, Donna Johnson and a grandson, Jeffery Bainbridge.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be directed to Care Initiatives Hospice of Sioux City.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Kris Hager (Johnson), please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.