FRANCES CLARA WENTZ-HAGER

Frances Clara (Wentz) Hager was born on November 12, 1924. She was the first of six children born to Joseph and Philomena (Kremer) Wentz. Frances attended school and spent most of her early years in Esmond, North Dakota. On May 24, 1943, Frances was married to Bennie Hager in Clinton, Iowa. It was during World War II and Bennie was in the Army. They were stationed in Iowa and Texas where Frances worked at the hospital and at a bridge work factory where parts for ships were manufactured. Bennie was then stationed in Europe so Frances returned home to Devils Lake. After returning from the War, Bennie and Frances settled in Devils Lake and that is where they raised their six children. Bennie and Frances were members of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church for over 50 years. Frances was a very devoted wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend. She was a hard worker but family and friends always came first. Frances was a fabulous cook and she entertained with grace and ease. She loved to play cards and go dancing. After retiring, Bennie and Frances did some traveling and took up the sport of golf. Bennie died on March 19, 1989. Frances stayed in Devils Lake until the Fall of 1995. Then she moved to Rapid City, South Dakota, where she lived until 2001. In 2001, Frances moved to Washington to be near her children. She died in Everett, Washington, on June 22, 2012. Frances is survived by her son Kenneth (Judy) of Bothell, WA., her son Richard (Jean) of Kirkland, WA., her daughter Patricia (Jerry) Lennick of Mesa, AZ., her son Glen (Ronda) of Snohomish, WA., her daughter Carol (Mark) Nosbusch of Arlington, WA., and her daughter Jackie Hager of Everett, WA. Frances has 14 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters, Kathy Dinehart and Helen (Al) Hoistad, her sisters-in-law, Katherine Wentz and Rose Hager and many nieces and nephews and their families. Frances was preceded in death by her husband, Bennie Hager, her daughter, Renae Jane, her parents, Joseph and Philomena Wentz, and her brothers, Edward, Leo and Wilbur Wentz. Friends may call at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Sunday, July 22, 2012, from 4:00 P.M. until 5:00 P.M. with the Holy Rosary recited at 5:00 P.M. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, July 23, at 10:00 A.M. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Devils Lake with burial in St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery.