OAKHURST, CA – Frances Hagen lived a life so full that even she couldn’t resist writing it down. In September of 2015, as part of a writing class she cherished, Frances penned her own obituary — imagining herself living all the way to 102. She fell just a little short of that goal, passing peacefully at the remarkable age of 94, but those who knew her would say she packed at least 102 years’ worth of living into the time she had.

Born November 23, 1931, Frances leaves behind a legacy woven through generations. She is survived by four of her six beloved sons — Harold “Butch” Rhodes (Sheri), David Hagen (Pam), Robert Hagen, and Eric Hagen (Michelle) — and is reunited in heaven with her sons William “Billy” Rhodes and Michael Hagen. Her family grew to include 8 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, over 20 great-great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-great-grandchild.

Frances had an extraordinary heart for those often overlooked. She organized adventures for widowers in the area, championed ministries from India to local causes like Manna House, and opened her home and heart to anyone who needed a place to belong. Many came to call her Mom, Grandma, or friend, and her Thanksgiving table was never too full for one more. Through handwritten stories and lovingly crafted albums, she made sure that her family’s history and memories would never be forgotten.

She will be deeply missed.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, April 18th, at 10:30 a.m. at Sierra Vista Presbyterian Church, 39696 CA-41, Oakhurst, CA 93644. For those unable to attend in person, the service will be broadcast live at sierravistachurch.org/church-online.

If you have photos or memories you would like to share, please email them to: francesmemories94@gmail.com

“Frances Hagen’s Obituary (class assignment 9/25/2015)

I hate to admit it but evidently I have passed away. I guess we are never quite ready but I had hoped to clean out those closets and burn those love letters and organize my pictures. I didn’t quite get around to it, and now my poor family will have to figure out what to do with all the stuff I have accumulated over the years.

I was an oops child, Mom was 43 and Dad 53. However they made the best of it and I thought I was their favorite, only later to find out everyone thought they were the favorite. Mom was Alexandra (Allie) and Dad was a famous old time baseball player Dusty Rhoads. I was born in the small desert town of Barstow. I had three older siblings Harold, Lorraine, and Bob.

I was very close to my nieces and nephews as they were closer to my age. We have had lots of fun and adventures over the years.

By a cruel quirk of fate I ended up with six boys. Michael, William, Butch, who we named Harold and who never went by that name and the youngest of that group David. Later there came two redheads. Robert, and last but not least, my own little p.s. Eric. I always wanted a girl, but boys do grow on you.

However, I did get three great daughters-in-laws and a number of granddaughters that I enjoyed, and quite a few grandsons that I love dearly and I have had great times with each one of my grandchildren. Having lived such a long, long life and starting so young by the time I died at 102, I had a number of great, great, great grandkids. What fun I had with them going camping and to Disneyland. I took many of them on trips to places they had never been and they loved just hanging out at Grandma Hagen’s house.

Besides my main job of mom, I worked for First Western Bank. I was a newspaper dealer for the San Jose News and spent nearly 20 years with Madera Co. Office of Education where I retired as Transportation Manager for Special Education.

I had a special blessed life, sometimes I felt like I lived many different lives as circumstances changed. But I have great memories: spending summers at my sister’s dairy as a child. I married young, had two boys, was a divorced single mom. I married a widower with two boys and had a wonderful life with him. We had two more boys and after Floyd died I still had my youngest at home. We had lots of fun, my grandchildren were his age and we camped and traveled together.

By the time I was in my 50’s I had been divorced and widowed and decided on the single life. I had a twenty year friendship with Louis Petersen and we traveled and had many adventures together. Last, I was a single older woman, who loved to travel and spend times with her friends and family, I loved Oakhurst and my home.

I was lucky to have landed in Oakhurst many, many years ago and to have belonged to Sierra Vista Pres. Church where I have loved and been loved by so many dear friends.

Gone on before me were my parents Alexandra and Barton Rhoads, my brothers Harold and Robert and sister Lorraine, my dear husband Floyd and my beloved sons Mike and Billy. I hope it works out that I am now celebrating a new life with those I have loved. I was born, blinked a couple of times and it was over, enjoy your lives, I did, it sure went by fast.”

Also Read:
Obituaries | Sierra News Online