Christene Shirley (Ward) Hack
Christene Shirley (Ward) Hack, born on Dec. 8, 1945 in Golden, Okla., departed for the land of unclouded days on March 18, 2026, at the age of 80.
Christene grew up with five sisters on a farm where she began her lifelong Christian devotion with her beloved mother as role model, married her high school sweetheart, and raised a family of three independent daughters who admired their mother’s strength and commitment to lifelong learning. She served as an educator to children and church congregations by obtaining an early childhood education degree, teaching various grade levels and special education, and spreading the word of Christ through lay ministry service in Oklahoma Methodist Church communities within Boswell and Valliant.
Her lay ministry sermons reflected her daily practice and values, often resonating on themes of love, grace, gratitude, faith, trust, discipline, humility, and service to others. As a gardener who loved roses and planting new delights from friends and family, she believed in and exemplified the importance of cultivating a Christian garden through tending soil and spreading seeds.
The soil Christene tended most beyond faith was family. Along with her cherished spouse of 65 years, she created a household that has fond memories of apple pie, Sunday morning pre-church pancakes, fresh yeast rolls, lovingly- decorated birthday cakes, church potlucks, frequent new books from traveling salesmen, constant greeting cards with words of love and encouragement, music lessons, sewing, crafts, puzzles, games –– she was a mighty competitive player! –– and mom-sewn clothing. She loved to sing, with “Wind Beneath My Wings” a cherished memory for her granddaughter who spent summers with her Nana; and she relished her husband’s serenades on guitar, with Don Williams’ “You’re My Best Friend” and Johnny Cash’s “All Over Again” among her favorites. Variety was the spice of Christene’s life. She enjoyed travel, hauling her children to music and extracurricular activities, visiting with her grandchildren and great grandchild, meeting new people, adopting and spoiling stray cats, cooking, decorating, leading a Girl Scout troop, assisting kids in 4-H activities, serving on the Wheelock Cemetery Board and learning piano. She laughed loudly and often with her sisters and friends… and took great joy in “spooky” pranks.
Christene is survived by her loving husband, Larry Hack; daughters: Carol M. Hack, Becki Hack, Shawna Robb; a granddaughter; two grandsons; a great-grandson; and sisters: Lavenia Worley, Joahn Kitterman, Pat Milner, and Paula Savoy. She is predeceased by her parents: Marie and Troy “Chigger” Ward and sister, Rosella Staggs McClure.
The service to honor the life of Christene Hack was held March 23, 2026 at the First United Methodist Church in Valliant. She was interred at the Hack Family Cemetery in Millerton.
Pastor Tom Ellis officiated the service, under the direction of Miller & Miller Funeral Home.
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