Seventh Place: 2011

1947-2011

“And ever has it been known that love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation.” – Gibran

Christie began life in Portland, Oregon, as an early Christmas present in 1947 to an Irish mother, Ann, and German father, Wilfred. The second of eight children, there are many stories about Christie and her older sister Mary helping raise her younger siblings, 4 sisters and 2 brothers. Her father said that growing up "Christie never gave us much trouble". The family moved around the western half of the country wherever dad’s railroad work took them. Growing up Christie attended many Catholic schools. Her favorite locations included Spokane, Washington, where she excelled at Marycliff High School, as well as Loon Lake in Washington, Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks for vacations. Glacier held a special status in the Hageman history, with an aunt and uncle born in the park, a grandfather who was headquartered in Glacier Park as the Advertising Manager for the Great Northern Railroad. Train ride stories were cherished and abundant for the entire family and continue today.

At age 17, life brought Christie to Minnesota and St. Mary’s School of Nursing. She graduated in 1967 as a Registered Nurse. The first year of her career she worked in the Premature Infant Nursery at St. Mary’s Hospital. By 1969, she decided she was better suited to psychiatric nursing (no blood and gore) and moved to a job at Glenwood Hills Hospital in Golden Valley. In September of 1969 she met Douglas there, on the very day that he refused to submit to induction into the military. So began a tumultuous few years and a very successful workplace romance.

A nice small wedding was the perfect way to start the New Year in 1972. Christie and Doug were married at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church on the West Bank of the U of M campus in Minneapolis, with a reception at the lovely home of her Mom and Dad in South Minneapolis. Life was very, very good and soon perfected with three adorable, amazing and intelligent kids, Will (1977), Nora (1978) and Heidi (1981). What a whirlwind the early years were! Golden Valley provided a beautiful backdrop for raising the kids until they outgrew the home on Zephyr Place. We will not forget the gym set, the elevated playhouse that matched the home – made by Doug – the constant birdfeeder activity, the clean cold sheets brought in from the clothesline, the raccoons, kind neighbors, an outdoor spaghetti dinner with Congressmen Don Fraser and Bruce Vento, vegetable and flower gardens and wonderful family members who helped us learn how to parent, make a home and then volunteered to babysit.

Christie also loved to travel. She fondly remembered a “Sisters Vacation” with sisters Joanne and Margret to Glacier National Park the week that Elvis died, working the “Mondale/Ferraro” campaign in Des Moines Iowa with Doug, Will & Nora in a blizzard, and participating in the “Million Mom March” to Washington, DC.

After the family moved to Eden Prairie in 1985, Christie decided to complete her Bachelors Degree while raising kids AND working, and she did so at Augsburg College. Later, she earned a Masters of Nursing at the University of Minnesota; Christie had no shortage of brains or energy. She worked as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse for the Homeless Assistance Project and the Crisis Homes Program in Hennepin County.

As Will, Nora and Heidi went through school in Eden Prairie, their lives diversified: sports, band camp, theater, new friends, musical performances, countless trips to Green Lake, Itasca State Park, Montana and Washington, D.C. Dad made sure that fishing and birding were a regular opportunity. Christie was particularly delighted that all of her kids finished college; Will at St. Cloud State University, Nora at University of Minnesota-Morris and then U of M Law School, Heidi at University of Minnesota-Duluth and continuing her studies today.

In March of 1997 Christie was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer and the doctors estimated she had only a few years of life remaining. After difficult chemo treatments months later, Christie's hair was growing back, so she and Heidi roasted her wig on the barbeque in the back yard. With dignity and strength she endured many ups and downs, optimistic and bleak predictions, and was a constant counselor to others around her despite her own illness.

For mother's day in 2002, Christie adopted a dog she named Honey, who became her constant companion and a source of joy and comfort for her. Whenever Christie was around, Honey would be close behind.

In 2002, Christie and Doug moved to Bozeman, Montana, a small ski & college town at 5,000 feet above sea level. The eight years Doug and Christie spent in Bozeman were a relaxing contrast to the bustling Twin Cities. Her health seemed to respond to the mountain air, exercise and excellent medical care. Helpful, too, were sister, Margret, brother-in-law, Doug, and their girls, Kate and Emma. Before long, Christie joined a book group and had as many friends as she could handle. Her Psychiatric Nursing career blossomed further as she was welcomed into the medical community. She and Dr. Jami Eschler boldly created their own private practice called Psychiatry Associates that has grown and still thrives today. Doug and Christie built a cute dream home with a fabulous great room view of 160 acres of wheat field and the Bridger Mountains beyond. Deer and Hungarian partridge in the yard added a nice touch. Honey, the dog, was as thrilled with Montana life as were her owners! Most spare hours were enjoyed in the outdoors with an abundance of fun and sunshine.

The 2005 Nora-Nate wedding in the Montana mountainside brought special joy to the mother-of-the-bride that was exceeded only by the birth of first grandchild, Henry, on June 7th of this year! Christie loved that each of her kids has many friends, enjoys travel, loves dogs, word games and has a sense of humor and varied interests. They are as different as “peas and carrots, but so delightful”.

Christie retired in May 2010 due to her health. Just weeks later, while in the hospital because of her newly-discovered brain tumor, Christie learned a patient of her’s was on the same floor. She had us walk her to that patient’s room and Heidi waited outside while Christie brightened her patient's day and the room erupted in laughter. That is just one of countless examples of her endlessly generous heart.

Doug fondly recalled the words of a physician who first saw her last year and dictated the following note into her voluminous medical records: “Patient is an exceedingly pleasant 62 year old female….” Similarly, a Montana neurologist, upon viewing an MRI of her brain, said to her "Christie, you have a beautiful brain. Few brains look this good at your age." After Doug’s uncle Jim passed away recently, Christie was able to select a keepsake that had belonged to Jim. She chose one that perfectly sums up her true nature - a small silver paperweight with the inscription, "No amount of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted."

Christie was especially skilled at listening attentively and with genuine interest, both at work and at home. Friends and family sought out her counsel on matters as wide-ranging as baking pies & cookies, mental health, favorite books, politics (Christie's progressive political views were rooted in her caring nature and feminist strength), world peace, family matters, medicine, child-rearing, dogs, quilting and the fabric arts. She would remember every detail and nuance you’d discussed for many years. The phrase "how does that make you feel?" was common as the three kids were growing up. Never a disciplinarian, she taught by example and by giving thoughtful, loving advice. She didn't pressure her children to be one way or another, or to pursue things they weren't interested in; she loved us as we are.

She loved to knit, quilt, read at least one or two books per week, hike, spend time with family or friends, walk her dog, canoe, snowshoe, listen to NPR, Nordic ski, birdwatch and travel, visiting many of Minnesota’s 87 counties and most of the 50 states plus 4 Canadian Provinces, Norway and Sweden. Her favorite places were: 1) Anywhere her kids live; 2) Glacier National Park; 3) Lake Superiors North Shore, ; 4) the Cosgriff cabin on Green Lake and 5) the romantic, French-speaking Montreal. She learned to share Doug’s passion for fishing, photography and birding: bluebirds her special favorite.

During the past few months, as Christie enjoyed the exciting new role of grandmother, ended the aggressive treatments that enabled her to live this long and began hospice care, she remained concerned about others more than herself. She also continued to make the occasional hilarious witty remark just when least expected. While Doug was helping her out of her wheelchair after going to get a haircut she said to him, “I knew these big shoulders would come in handy some day.” She once admitted that knowing she wouldn’t be around much longer felt like being in the middle of a great book and someone is about to take it away before you find out what happens to everyone. There is no question that Christie will continue to inspire us to be more thoughtful, kind and giving people, and no question that we have the opportunity to emulate Christie every day of our lives.

Please remember these two non-profits she had volunteered for and been enriched by: the Ovarian Cancer Survivors Foundation in Montana and Peace House, a Minneapolis center where the poor can go for food, conversation, prayer and comfort.