Norman James Hager, age 83, of Ellsworth, WI died peacefully Monday, February 3 at the Hospice of the Valley, Chandler, Arizona, after a hard battle with cancer.Norman was born in Ellsworth, WI on November 11, 1930 to Clarence and Celia Hager. He attended Ellsworth High School and graduated in 1949. On November 4, 1950 he married Virginia Mountin at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in El Paso, WI. They were married 63 years and had 6 children.Norman ran 2 successful businesses in his lifetime. First he owned and operated a dairy farm with registered Holsteins. When a back injury ended his farming career, he founded Hager Auction Service. He was well known throughout the area for his strong faith and family values, his moral integrity, his hard work ethic and his sense of fairness. He made a difference in many lives. Norman cherished his family, especially his grandchildren. He loved to make people laugh with his jokes. He enjoyed golfing and playing bridge and euchre.He is survived by his wife Virginia; sons James (Marty) Hager of Colby, WI, Jerome Hager of Minneapolis, MN, Barry (Debbie) Hager of Ellsworth, WI, Roger Hager of Minneapolis, MN, and Gary (Amy Blackmore) Hager of Edina, Minnesota; grandchildren Candace Wagner, Matthew (Amy Wilde) Hager, Rachelle (Steve) Gillette, Stephanie Hager, Justin Silva, Bobbi Hager, Mitchell (Kristen) Hager, Lisa (Adam) Igl, Tasha Hager, Christopher Hager, Alyssa Hager, William Hager, and Katharine Hager; great grandchildren Hunter Wagner, Montana Wagner, Lucas Hager, Devin Igl, Ruby Igl, Mackenzie Igl, Charlie Igl, Bennett Hager, and Teagan Hager; step grandchildren Debbie (Randy) Schoelzel and Lori (Jeremy) Totzke; step great grandchildren Erin Schoelzel, Miranda (Al) Sazama, Ethan Schoelzel, Alex Graff, Alea Graff, and Grayson Totzke; step great-great grandchild Emma Sazama; and his brother Francis (Janet) Hager.He is preceded in death by his parents Clarence and Celia, and his only daughter Patricia (Frank) Silva.Hill Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Ellsworth, WI is serving the family.