Our sweet mother, Bernice Hagata, passed away on September 15 at the age of 91. She was proceeded in death by her parents Hilda and Clyde Taylor, siblings Clyde and Ina, numerous friends and relatives; and the love of her life Frank Hagata.
She was born in 1932 in Susanville and spent an ideal childhood growing up in her family home on Main Street, attending local schools, taking family drives on Sundays, and spending vacations in Nova Scotia, where both her parents were raised. Following a year at Chico State, she met and fell in love with Frank Hagata, they married on September 15, 1951 and moved to the Hagata Ranch in Willow Creek Valley.
Mother spent the next 70 years working hard and fully embraced the ranching way of life. She rode horses, worked cattle, cooked for the crew, milked cows, bottle-fed and warmed-up newborn calves in the living room during the cold winters, and did everything imaginable and necessary to support the ranch and create a happy life for her family.
Off the ranch, she was a 4-H leader for many years, a founding member of the Lassen County CowBelles, served on the California Beef Council and the Lassen County Fair Board, as well as a member of various local service groups. She even rallied our community to successfully “Save the Old Uptown Jail” from being torn down. She was recognized as Lassen County CowBelle of the Year, Lassen County Cattleman of the Year, Lassen County Fair’s Old Timer of the Year and Grand Marshall of the fair parade.
After the three of us kids were off to college, she began to pursue some of her dreams and passions. Mother and Daddy began traveling the world, visiting China, Australia, Canada, Alaska, Europe and most every state here at home. She enjoyed spending hours working in her yard, with a gift for growing lovely flowers. She created a beautiful place for our family and friends to gather. She took painting classes and began to watercolor scenes from the ranch, and made rustic barbed wire wreathes from old ranch relics she would find.
When the grandchildren began arriving on the scene, they called her “Gramsi”, and she cherished them with all her heart! They loved visiting Papa Frank and Gramsi and the kids always had stories to tell when they got home! She took them on all kinds of exciting adventures down in the meadow or up to the rocks and she loved finding special books to read to them. She was always there for them; however, she informed them she would never bail them out of jail! Gramsi’s words of wisdom to her grandchildren were, “Follow Your Heart”.
She was a wonderful mother. She encouraged and taught us to be creative, understanding, to believe in what mattered to us, do our best, have fun, and live a life to be proud of. Our mother was a character. She had a special style about her and a constant positive outlook on life. She filled our lives with practical wisdom, unwavering comfort, the best home-cooked food ever, and an abundance of love and always laughter! As fate would have it, she passed away on the date of her wedding anniversary; we are certain that Papa Frank has been waiting to celebrate with her in Heaven.
Bernice leaves behind her three children – Darcy (Jack) Hanson, Daren (Patti) Hagata, and Teri (Joe) Bertotti, six grandchildren – Andrew Bertotti, Wyatt (Kelli) Hanson, Daniel (Molly) Bertotti, Brad (Robin) Hanson, Taylor (Tori) Hagata and Bailey (Colton) Van Riet and ten great grandchildren – Penelope, Isabelle, Brooks, Harper, Charlotte, Clyde, Sawyer, Townes, Finley, Stetson, and two on the way.
Although Mother is gone, her legacy will live on and the love and memories she gave to her family will always remain in our hearts, as a beautiful reminder of her presence in our lives.
A small family gathering honoring her and to celebrate her wonderful life, will take place in her lovely yard in the near future.
Donations in her memory can be made to the Lassen County CattleWomen’s Scholarship Fund (P.O. Box 1469, Susanville 96130) or to a charity of your choice.
