Luella (Lu) Rae Hage

Luella (Lu) Rae Hage, age 81 of Fairborn, Ohio, passed away peacefully, September 30, 2024. 

Visitation will be held from 3-5 p.m. Sunday October 13, 2024, at Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory, Ltd., Moline. Private burial will be at the Rock Island National Cemetery with her husband, Sam. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation.

Lu was born November 9, 1942, in Bucyrus, Ohio, the daughter of the late Raymond and Miriam Thornton. She graduated from Theodore High School, Theodore, Alabama, in 1960. Lu attended Augustana College, earning her undergraduate degree and then her masters degree in Speech Pathology from Western Illinois University. Lu worked with stroke victims at Moline Public Hospital, eventually transitioning to Blackhawk Center to teach kids with special needs. The bulk of her Speech pathology career was spent teaching in the Moline Public Schools, from which she retired.

She married Dr. Sam M. Hage on June 22, 1966, in Las Vegas, Nevada. They had a son, Sam M. Hage II. The family attended and were very involved in Trinity Lutheran Church in Moline, Illinois. Lu and Sam enjoyed spending time with friends and family, as well as traveling and playing golf.

Lu moved to Palm Harbor, Florida, to be close to her son, Sam M. Hage II and his family, and her step-daughter, Sandy Van Oosten, and family. In 2016 she returned to Ohio in order to be near and care for her mother.

She is survived by her son, Sam Hage II (Megan); grandchildren Sammy, Owen and Lyla; as well as step-daughter, Sandy Van Oosten (Chuck); granddaughter, Heather Strawn (Shane); grandsons, Eli, Peyton; granddaughter, Ashley Mayers (Justin); great-grandson, Hudson; sister, Barb McDermott, niece, Caryn Petros (Pete); great-niece Liliana; and nephew, Michael McDermott (Jordain); and great-niece Madison.

Lu loved her family, friends and community deeply. She was a very kind, caring and compassionate individual who was always helping others and giving in any way she could. Her faith was an important part of her life. Throughout her career as a teacher, she impacted many children, making a positive difference in their lives. She was a role model to all, especially her family. She is dearly loved and will be greatly missed.

Memories may be shared at esterdahl.com.