Harlan Hagler

In June of 2014 I was given the news that I had cancer and that my life would be shortly coming to an end. This gave me time to reflect on my life, prepare myself and my family for my death and put my thoughts to paper.

I was born in Colby, Kansas on a Monday, April 23, 1956 to two wonderful parents, Lynn D. and Helen (Talbott) Hagler. I died at my home on a Tuesday, January 27, 2015 at the age of 58 years. I grew up with one spunky little sister, Sherry (Hagler) Ummel. Even to this day, she “always has my back”! I love you Sis and am proud to have you as my little sister! We grew up on the family farm and could share a lot of funny stories about our days of raising hogs! What a great life I had being a farmer!

I went to school in Atwood and graduated high school with the Class of 1974. On May 14, 1977 I became the luckiest man in the world! I married my beautiful wife of 37 years, Margaret Kanak. My fortune grew as I become the father of our three wonderful kids – Morgan, Jacob and Jordan. God truly blessed me with a wonderful family—they are my pride and joy!

I’ve had several hobbies during my life, some of them short-lived, but the most recent and favorite hobby I have is golf. I might not be the best golfer, but I enjoy the heck out of the time I spend on the course with my friends.

Once someone tells you that you are going to die, you look back on your life and realize how trivial the material things in your life are. I’m sure looking back on my life, there were things I would have changed, but I realize today how truly blessed I am to have such a wonderful family and great friends in my life. A man’s wealth is measured by his family and friends and not by the money in his pocket. We never know how our life will end. The thought of leaving my family and friends brings sadness and tears to my eyes, but I am not afraid of dying as I know that God is with me. I do not want my family and friends to mourn my death but celebrate my life. I had a good life!

I was preceded in death by my wonderful parents, Lynn and Helen, my father-in-law, Joe Kanak Jr. and my nephew Jason Kanak (who could now be giving me golf lessons and Papa Joe having a good laugh at both of us). I know one day Rick and Jeff—we’ll meet up again and laugh about our “golfing days!”

I am survived by my best friend and wife Margaret, my daughter Morgan Schweizer and husband Bryan, my son Jacob and wife Linde, my son Jordan and fiance’ Andrea Sis, my sister Sherry Ummel and husband Larry, three grandchildren, Emma Hagler, Addie Schweizer and Bentley Hagler, numerous nephews and nieces and by such true and loyal friends.

P.S. Harlan was also survived by another beautiful granddaughter he didn’t get to meet, Ella Lynn Hagler, who was born within the hours after his death.

Visitation will be 10:00 a.m. -8:00 p.m. Friday, January 30, 2015 at Baalmann Mortuary, Atwood with a Vigil Service at 7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass is at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, January 31, 2015 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Atwood with burial in Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Atwood Public Library or the memorial of your choice, in care of Baalmann Mortuary, 109 N 2nd St, Atwood, KS 67730. Online condolences: www.baalmannmortuary.com