Hermine Maria Gagnon

Hermine Maria Hartig, 89 of St. Agatha passed away at her daughter’s home in Waynesville, Missouri, surrounded by friends and family in her final days. Hermine became an angel on March 14, 2022 at 2:25 pm. She is survived by her daughters, Elisabeth Duplissie of Waynesville, Missouri and Ursula Hartig of Woodland, Maine. Hermine leaves a lasting legacy of 5 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.

Hermine lived through and experienced the aftermath of World War II. The military played a major part in her life producing both Elisabeth and her sister, Ursula from the marriages of two soldiers James Philips and Albert Gagnon who brought her and the girls over from Germany in 1962 and moved them to Ft. Bliss, Texas. In the US she learned the art of bowling and wowed the leagues she was on. She garnered more than 80 trophies during her bowling reign, which spanned over 30 years.

Minnie was a prolific knitter as sweaters, hat, slippers, and socks were a holiday gift staple and she took orders for a clothing boutique. Ever the Maverick, she knitted from no pattern and let the design grow organically like her garden. Minnie’s tomatoes, beets, celery, and green peppers were so popular that her roadside garden stand saw repeat vacationers, year after year looking for plants, canned beets, and pickles. Many, many folks will miss her jars of raspberry, strawberry, blueberry and currant jams and jellies.

After raising her family and through her ‘retirement years’ Minnie became very active with the Gold Star Wives organization and American Legion Auxiliary. For the next 40 years, she held the president’s position in the Van Buren chapter from 1976-1977, and 7th District presidency in 1977-1978. She also was a part of Ladies of St. Anne which started in 1993. Simultaneously, she was in the Madawaska Lioness Club, and was awarded Lioness of the year in 1992/93 and Lion of the year 1998/99. She served as Vice President from 1998 through 2000.

Minnie’s independence was interrupted by Parkinson’s Disease in her mid-70s and after fifteen years, took its final toll on March 14, 2022.

Hermine, a tenacious immigrant, daughter, aunt, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, enjoy your peace. We love you.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, April 1, 2022 in the St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church of St. Robert, MO.  Burial will follow in the Missouri Veterans Cemetery of Waynesville.  Arrangements are under the care and direction of Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Waynesville / St. Robert Missouri.

Online condolences can be sent at www.memorialchapelsandcrematory.com.

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