Bettie L. Hagen

Bettie L. Hagen passed away in her sleep at Courtney Manor in Bad Axe after an extended illness.  A private graveside service at Valley Cemetery in Ubly will take place in light of pandemic precautions.  Smigielski Funeral Home is coordinating the arrangements.  For those wishing to commemorate Bettie’s life, please consider making a donation to the Sleeper Library (Address:  2236 Main Street, Ubly, Michigan  48475).

Bettie L. McIntyre was born January 26, 1931, on her Grandmother Walker’s farm in Huron County, Ubly, Michigan, Sheridan Township, to Orville (Leland) and Donelda (Walker) McIntyre.  Bettie attended the Appin School on Barrie Road until age 12 when her parents moved to a farm on Section Line Road and Bettie began attending Harbor Beach schools.  Bettie graduated high school in 1948 and began working in Bad Axe as an Operator for Michigan Bell Telephone. 

Bettie McIntyre and Bryce Hagen were married October 21, 1951, at the First Presbyterian Church in Ubly.  They were married 68 years and raised four children:  Dennis Mac, Mary Margaret, Ellen Kay and Ernest James.  They made their home in Bingham Township outside of Ubly, Michigan.

Bettie was a multi-talented farm wife.  Bettie and Bryce were in the dairy business for 30 years and Bettie was instrumental in keeping milking equipment clean, feeding calves, and keeping the books.  In the early years, Bettie could occasionally be seen driving a truck hauling beans or wheat to the elevator in Ubly or be seen working a field driving a cab-less tractor without power steering.  She was a good cook, skilled canner and an excellent baker. Up until 2011, Bettie loved to mow lawn with a riding mower and spent many glorious days in the sun doing so. 

Having been a child of the Great Depression era, she could stretch a dollar with her practical nature and wide-ranging skills.  Bettie was the caretaker and lenient landlord for the farm’s rental houses until 2009.  She was handy as a ‘fixer-upper’ between renters in painting, wallpapering, and all forms of remodeling, having hung her last sheet of drywall at age 67.  Bettie was Bingham Township’s answer to Martha Stewart being able to find twigs and greens in the yard and come up with beautiful centerpieces and decorations. 

Bettie loved to bowl and was a member of the Ubly Thursday night ladies’ league for three decades.  She conducted the U.S. Census door-to-door many times and participated in the American Cancer Society Fund Drive for decades.   Bettie served on the Bingham #4 Country School board in the early 1960s, was active in Michigan State Home Extension through the early 1990s and served as an Assistant 4-H Leader for the ‘Bingham Busy Bees’ in the 1960-70s helping local girls learn to sew using a machine.  She also supported the ‘Midnight Riders’ 4-H horse club in the 1970’s in a variety of capacities.  Bettie was a devoted member of the First Presbyterian Church in Ubly. She did everything there at one time or another except to deliver the sermon or to play the organ.

Bettie and Bryce hosted many family gatherings opening their home to all.  Bettie and Bryce were members of the ‘Happy Dozen Card Club’ for many years and enjoyed spending time with their friends.  In later years, both Bettie and Bryce enjoyed joining the Thursday morning travelling breakfast retirees. 

Bettie desired to stay home on the farm her whole adult life, travelling little.  Strong-willed and quick witted, Bettie kept everybody on their toes until her health wouldn’t let her.

Bettie is survived by Daughters, Mary Hagen and Ellen (Mike) Moorman, Daughters-in-Law, Sharlene {Pichla) Hagen and Doreen (Krohn) Hagen, all of Ubly.  She is also survived by Grandchildren, Keith (Erin Johnson) Hagen of East Lansing, Clint (Melissa Barry) Hagen, Brad (Stacy Langley) Hagen, Nick Hagen, all of Ubly, and Jenni (George) Hiller of Harbor Beach.  Ten Great-Grandchildren, Annabella, Vivienne, and Abbot of East Lansing, Dylan, Cole, Addison, Beckett, Waverly, Brody and Gabriella, all of Ubly, in-laws Wallace and Sonia Hagen of Caseville, and many nieces and nephews.  Bettie was preceded in death by husband Bryce, sons Dennis and Jim and her only sister, Mary Lou.

Special thanks from Bettie’s family to the dedicated staff at Meadow Lane Assisted Living and the staff of Courtney Manor for all of their care, patience, and skill in taking care of Mom/Grandma in her last two years of life.