Josephine Marie Hagel, the daughter of Baltzer and Regina (Bischoff) Hilzendager was born on January 30, 1926 in Rugby, North Dakota.  She died at the age of 93 years on Monday, June 3, 2019 at the Sanford Care Center in Fargo, North Dakota. 

Josie was raised on her parent’s farm  southwest of Rugby.  She attended and graduated from the eighth grade in a one room country school south of Rugby.  Josie worked as a waitress in Montana and Minneapolis, MN.  She also worked as a Candy Strip.  On October 19, 1949 Josephine and Emanuel Nick Hagel of Balta were united in marriage at Little Flower Catholic Church in Rugby.  She then became a farm wife and partner on their farm two miles East of Balta.  When she retired, she moved to Balta with Emanuel and their son, Doug and his wife Kathy took over the farm.  She was a life-long member of the Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Balta and a member of the Catholic Daughters and Christian Mothers, the latter of which she served as President for many years.  Josephine enjoyed walking, especially her walks with her good friend, Rose Hager, cooking, baking and had a green thumb, in that she loved gardening, growing and nurturing many plants in her house and outside. She loved caring for her five children and grandchildren.  She enjoyed visiting with family and friends whenever they came to visit and always made sure they were well fed.  She will be greatly missed by her loving family and many friends who will miss her smiling face.

Josephine is survived by her daughter, Melissa Hagel of Fargo; her sons and their families, Douglas (Kathy) Hagel, and grandchildren, Alisha (Tommy) Rye, their daughter, Josie Hale, Nate (Amiee) Hagel and their children Emmerine and Cash Hagel, all of Billings, MT, Michael (LaRae) Hagel of Sidney, MT, grandchildren, Ashley (Howard) Lemere of Williston and step great grandchildren, Evan Lemere of Mandan, Erica Ingerson of Niobe and Cameron Lemere of Williston, Erin (Justin) Truman of Tioga and their child, Aushin Truman, Steven Hagel of Fargo and grandchildren, Brittney and Brenden Hagel of Twin Valley, MN; sisters-in-law, Marie Axtman of Rugby, Emma (Phil) Myhre of Bremerton, WA and Emerine Bichler of Reno, NV; many nieces, nephews; other relatives and friends.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Emanuel; daughter, Marlene Hagel; grandson, Cordell Hagel; brothers, Edward and Leonard Hilzendager and her parents. 

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, June 10, 2019 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Balta with burial at 2:30 p.m. in the Little Flower Catholic Church in Rugby.  Father Brian Bachmeier, Celebrant.

Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Sunday with a Rosary and vigil prayer service beginning at 7:00 p.m. at the Anderson Funeral Home in Rugby.  Visitation will continue on Monday for one hour prior to the time of services at the church.

Casketbearers:  Gary Hilzendager, Richard Hagel, David Hagel, Frank Mack, Justin Truman and Brenden Hagel