Ruth Eileen Hart, better known as "Eileen" to her family and friends, was born August 12, 1910, at Philip, South Dakota, to George William and Mary Margaret (Hanson) Hart.

She grew up in Philip and graduated from Philip High School in 1949.  As a young lady she worked as a waitress in local cafes and as a clerk at the drug store.  Later she worked as a telephone operator for N.W. Belle Telephone.

Eileen was united in marriage to Homer "Hank" Hoag on July 10, 1950, at Philip, South Dakota.  They made their home in Philip all their married life.

They owned Hoag Trucking and West Central Industrial where Eileen was the bookkeeper until the time of her death.

Eileen worked at various jobs in the Philip area, including the Haakon County Clerk of Courts office; Haakon County Treasurer's office; was Haakon County food stamp cashier; and was a volunteer to do income tax returns for the elderly.

Eileen was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Philip where she served as a special minister, lector, C.C.D. instructor, was a member of the Evening Guild, and was currently serving as president of the Haakon County Right to Life.  She and her husband enjoyed dancing and were members of the Bad River Dance Club of Philip; the Dakota Territory Dance Club of Rapid City; and the Moose Lodge #1813 of Fort Pierre.

Grateful for having shared her life are her husband, Hank Hoag of Philip; three sons, Harry and his wife, Mindy Hoag of Canon City, Colorado, James and his wife, Cindy Hoag of Riverside, California, and Rev. Mr. Tim Hoag of Columbus, Ohio; two daughters, Sandra Totton of Pierre, and Sharon Ven Osdel and her husband, Ivan, of Springfield; 16 grandchildren; one brother, George Hart of Denver, Colorado; one sister, Mary Ankrum of Philip; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Eileen was preceded in death by one son, Larry Thomas Hoag; a granddaughter, Angela Mary Chapell; her parents; one brother, Francis Hart; and one sister, Margaret Jean Hart.

A memorial is established.

Mass of Christian Burial
Thursday, December 22, 1994
10:00 a.m.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Philip, South Dakota

Celebrant
The Most Reverend Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap

Con-Celebrants
Priests of the Rapid City Diocese

Music
Marianne Frein - Organist
Carol Asheim - Vocalist

Ushers
Joe Gittings - Mark Coyle - Lloyd Frein

Active Pallbearers
Arthur Kroetch - Charles Kroetch
M.C. Johnson - John "Buddy" Coyle
Keith Emerson - Ed Fitch

Honorary Pallbearers
All relatives and friends in attendance

Interment
Masonic Cemetery
Philip, South Dakota