Obituary

It is with great sadness that the family of Beth Hagerman announce her unexpected passing on January 9, 2019.

She was born Norma Elizabeth Tate to Norman and Vange Tate on July 1, 1943 in Petersburg, Alaska. She was named after her Dad and had a great childhood growing up in Scow Bay with her sisters, Holly and Laurel. Beth graduated from Petersburg High School in 1961. After high school Beth first attended Washington State College and then completed coursework at Pacific Business College.

On December 29, 1962 she was married to her love, Ken Hagerman. The couple bought a house on Wrangell Avenue and by 1967 they had expanded the family to include a daughter Jill and son Karl.

Ken was an original partner in Petersburg Motors with Norman Fredericksen and Beth worked with Linda on keeping the books for their business. Later, Beth went to work for Hammer and Wikan in the office, a career that she enjoyed for over 30 years.

Her favorite thing was to spend time with family and attended every event that her kids participated in. She loved to go camping and enjoyed countless fishing trips with all of us together; this is what she enjoyed the best. When her five grandchildren came along she was in heaven. She loved each of them completely and tried to spend as much time with them as she could.

Beth loved to travel with Ken, going to places with abundant sunshine. They eventually ended up buying a winter home in Thousand Palms, California. Among other retired Petersburg "Snow Birds," who became some of their best friends in life, they enjoyed many winters in the sunshine and returned home every spring to their true home in Petersburg.

She was a member of the Emblem Club, was a local election judge and helped greet visitors to the Little Norway Festival. She was a volunteer bookkeeper at both St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, and the Petersburg Lutheran Church. She enjoyed singing in the church choir and loved when high school friends would get together for reunions. Beth loved to garden, both vegetables and flowers and enjoyed weaving and quilting.

When Ken's health took a downturn, she devoted herself to his care. After she could no longer care for him at home, she visited him every day at Long Term Care. She was always appreciative that Ken is cared for so well and with kindness and understanding.

Beth is survived by her husband of 56 years, Ken Hagerman; two children Jill (Walt) Armstrong and Karl (Robyn) Hagerman, and five grandchildren: Jana, Taylor, Kyle, Tucker and Tatum; sisters Holly Trotter (Glenn Horn) and Laurel (Dick) Greseth; brother In-law Dr. Wayne (Gloria) Hagerman; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

A memorial service was held at the Petersburg Lutheran Church on Sat. Jan. 19.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages that donations be made to the Petersburg Long Term Care Unit or the Petersburg Lutheran Church.