Austin Chase HagEstad

Austin Chase HagEstad, 12, of Buckeye, Arizona, went home to be with Jesus on Sunday, November 26, 2023. Austin was born to Patrick and Rachel HagEstad at the Community Medical Center in Missoula, Montana on January 5, 2011. Austin is remembered for his adorable smile, infectious giggle, his increasingly loud vocalizations when he really wanted to get his point across, his sense of humor and sarcastic wit revealed through his eye-gaze talker, and his indomitable spirit that continuously chose life over and over again until his body finally refused to cooperate. Austin is survived by his parents, Patrick and Rachel HagEstad; brother, Michael HagEstad and wife, Emma; brother, Jonathan HagEstad; grandmother, Susan HagEstad; and grandfather, Lyndell Scott. He is preceded in death by his grandfather, Gary HagEstad; and grandmother, Barbara Scott. A memorial service celebrating his life will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, December 9, 2023 at The Church at Sun Valley, 26252 W Desert Vista Blvd, Buckeye, Arizona held in the Festival Foothills Elementary School gym. Memorial donations can be made to the SEPTSA (Special Ed PTSA) at Kingswood Elementary in Surprise, AZ; the Foundation for Blind Children; or the Ryan House. Austin benefitted from all three of these non-profits and/or schools. ___________ “There are children who rely on the help of others to survive their entire life,” Lee observes. “Many people think it is better for them to go to heaven as quickly as possible, because life on earth would be too difficult for them. But God sent them to the earth with disabilities. They’re not the unnecessary ones in the world. God sent them to earth with a purpose. Disabled children teach many people, change many people and help people reflect upon themselves, which is why they are the educators of society.” Pastor Lee Jong-Rak, The Drop Box “And whether you believe in miracles or not, I can guarantee that you will experience one. It may not be the miracle you’ve prayed for. God probably won’t undo what’s been done. The miracle is this: that you will rise in the morning and be able to see again the startling beauty of the day.” William Kent Krueger, Ordinary Grace

Austin Chase HagEstad

December 5, 2023