Rita Fay Hagenlocher

Rita Fay Hagenlocher passed away on July 13, 2026 at the age of 92. She died peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, after living a very full life. Rita was known for her relentless work ethic, fierce independence, artistic talents, and for her appreciation of well-designed spaces and her skill for creating them herself.

Rita was born on April 24, 1934 in the small town of Buena Vista, Oregon; the third of four children for Venus and Roy Gisse. The Gisse family soon moved to the Westmorland neighborhood in Portland Oregon, where Rita would eventually attend Cleveland High School. Rita got her first job at the nearby Rexall drugstore, working the lunch and soda fountain counter after school. When not working (rare), you might have found Rita enjoying an evening out on the town with friends in downtown Portland, relaxing at nearby Oaks Park, or playing a pickup game of tackle football with the boys (her nickname was “Bomber”). And yes, she could play with the best of them.

From an early age, Rita had a passion for art, architecture, design, and an appreciation for anything thoughtfully created and done well. She remembers buying her first piece of pottery (which she of course kept her entire life), and could tell you the back story for not only that first piece, but every single piece of pottery or art she accumulated in her long life. Rita always worked to make her spaces delightful. Whether her house, yard, office, desk, or assisted living apartment, if she was going to spend time there, it was going to be a nice looking and well thought out place to be. In fact, every space Rita walked into, not a minute went by before she was designing updates to improve the esthetic. If you invited Rita into your home, you were bound to get at least one idea she just had to share. And they were always good ideas.

In the 1970s, Rita exemplified women of the day. Raising two boys as a single mother, her work ethic and grit were continuously on display. She bought her first home as a single woman, at a time when lenders could still deny women credit unless they had a man to cosign! But even with all those responsibilities and challenges, this was also the decade where Rita explored life and really came into her own.

Around 1970, Rita learned to paint from a neighbor, walking next door to take lessons, and developing an important friendship in the process. Over the next 50+ years, Rita would paint hundreds of pieces, many of which are still displayed lovingly in the homes of family and friends, and of course in her own home.

By the early to mid 1970’s, Rita was exploring other hobbies and experiences, camping with friends at Spirit Lake on Mt St Helens, returning to snow skiing, rafting the Deschutes and Rouge rivers, and learning to play golf, which became her favorite outdoor activity for decades.

In 1984, Rita finally met the love of her life, Ken Hagenlocher. They married in January 1985, and Rita would say later that these were the happiest years of her life. Rita and Ken were inseparable, not only in their free time, but also working together in the business office of a local car dealership for the majority of their remaining working years. While working there, Ken gave her a nickname: the “Velvet Hammer”, for her ability to reprimand you, firmly, but not come off mad.

As a mother, Rita was kind, supportive, and generous; always willing to support her kids. She was also exceedingly proud that both of her sons “turned out ok”. While never taking credit, she of course played an essential role. Not surprisingly, some of Rita’s best advice to her sons was on the topic of working. Once she advised: “Never wait to be told what to do. If you finish your assigned task, pick up a rag and find something to clean.” Good advice indeed.

Rita is survived by her husband Ken, siblings Shirley and Wesley, sons Jon and Jason, stepchildren Rich, Sharron, Karen, along with many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 

Arrangements are under the direction of Bowman Funeral Parlor, Garden City. 208-853-3131