Margaret Galles Hager
Margaret Galles Hager, 80, of Bothell, Washington, passed away on Wednesday, March 16 peacefully at her home.
Margaret was born in Kingsley, Iowa on December 11, 1941, the daughter of Roman and Iola (Johnson) Galles. She was the fifth child of Roman and Iola’s eight children. She attended Kingsley Public School, graduating in 1960. While an outstanding student, she was a stellar athlete receiving state and national attention in basketball and fast-pitch softball – all before Title IX was enacted. Margaret graduated from Briar Cliff College in 1965 earning a B.Sc. degree with Majors in Math and Science. Following graduation, she taught mathematics in Kansas, Iowa and Washington. She later attended Portland State University graduating with a M.S. degree in psychology and had a successful private practice in Kirkland, WA as a Clinical Psychologist, specializing in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques.
On August 10, 1964, Margaret and Jim Hager were married. Margaret and Jim have seven children (dutifully noted on Margaret’s Honda license plate as “HAGER7”) and twelve grandchildren.
For the last 56 years, Margaret has been the consummate matriarch of the Hager family, modeling/journeying with each of the HAGER7 into adulthood with Galles/Johnson values at the foundation: Faith, respect, authenticity, sense of humor and a good dose of not taking oneself too seriously! She loved being a Mom, yet being “Nana” brought pure joy to Margaret. She was the HAGER7 lighthouse – always a beacon of light for anyone seeking advice, counsel, consoling, a hug, love.
While an Introvert, and proud of it, Margaret was famous for her many ‘capers’ throughout the years. She was active in politics, enjoyed the company of long-time friends from her years in the Kingsgate Community in Kirkland, WA to many newer pals when she moved to her final ‘homebase’ in the Wandering Creek Senior Community, Bothell, WA She especially enjoyed hosting gatherings at her home to discuss critical issues of the day, or for holiday festivities. She also spent hours sitting on bleachers watching games and attending performances of her own kids and grandkids as well as those of her friends’ children and grandchildren.
Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, Roman and Iola (Johnson) Galles; her brothers, Gerry Galles and John Galles; and her brother-in-law, Richard Ortner.
Margaret’s survivors include three sisters: Sister Michaela Galles of Dubuque, Iowa, Clara Beth Ortner of Holstein, Iowa, and Jenni Malsam and her husband Joe of Sioux City, Iowa; two brothers: Joe Galles and his wife Madeline of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Jim Galles and his wife Connie of Sioux City, Iowa; sister-in-law: Lois Galles of Kingsley, Iowa; husband: Jim Hager of Renton, Washington; children: daughter, Elizabeth Anne Spiller and her husband Ryan of Olympia, Washington and their children, Molly and husband Brad, Jake, and Jona; son, James Andrew Hager of Hermosa Beach, California; daughter, Nicole Celeste Hager and her wife Sarah Jahries of Maplewood, New Jersey and their children Rylie, Martha, Charlie and Robby; son, Jonathon Alexander Hager and his significant other Luci Sinor of Snohomish,Washington; son, Nicholas Anthony Hager and his wife Antoinette of Seattle, Washington and their daughter Bella Jean; daughter, Erin Michaela Crane and her husband Brian of Woodinville, Washington and their children, Taylor and Jakson; and daughter, Jennifer Anne Clark and her husband Clayton of Bothell, Washington and their children Gavin and Mia.
A Funeral Mass will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church in Kirkland, Washington on July 13, 2022 at 11am, reception to follow.
Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Memory of Margaret Galles Hager. Memorial gifts can be made online at . Under Direct My Gift, please select “Greatest Need” and under Dedication, please select “In Memory of” and include Margaret Galles Hager. Your gift can also be mailed to Fred Hutch, 1100 Fairview Ave N, Mail Stop J5-200 Seattle, WA 98109. Please include In Memory of Margaret Galles Hager when sending in your donation. Your gifts will directly support SCCA at Evergreen Hospital where Margaret received her care.
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