Gladys began her final traditional birthday trip to Ocean Shores, Wash., “topless” in the convertible from Sun Terrace. She returned home from her birthday weekend to spend her real birthday with her son John. Five days later she suffered a severe stroke which put her Birthday Journey in the hands of Hospice. Hospice guided her through her last stages of life finally ending her birthday journey with her husband Bill, her parents Gus and Marie and her sister Katherine.
Gladys was born Aug. 15, 1933, in Forest Grove, Mont., to Norwegian immigrants Gust and Marie (Indebro) Egeland. She attended school in Forest Grove and Winifred High School, where she graduated. When Gladys was 19 she obtained her teaching certificate and was recruited by the territory of Alaska to teach grade school in Yakutat. This event sparked a lifelong passion for travel.
During that year she met the love of her life, a cute little Coast Guardsman, William (Bill) Hagerty. From that day forward her teaching career paralleled Bill’s Coast Guard career. She married in Savanna Georgia on Aug. 20, 1954. Her first child was born in Lewistown Montana while Bill was deer hunting in October of 1955. Her second child was born in Hilo, Hawaii (still a territory) in October of 1957.
Throughout the duration of Bill’s maritime career they were always stationed near the ocean. Many memories and friends were made in the years spent at Groton, Conn., and Warrenton. Gladys continued on with her education, graduating from Great Falls College and finally earning her master’s in Special Education from the University of Oregon. When Gladys was 38 her teaching career was temporarily interrupted and forever changed when she suffered from an aneurism. This event did bless her and everyone in her life with a permanent and contagious laugh.
It was when Bill retired from the Coast Guard and her children were grown that she was able to expand her passion of travel. Her travels consisted of visiting Bill and setting up temporary homes various places around the world including, London, Japan, and China. Finally settling down in Longview, Wash. Her dear husband Bill passed away in 1999 and her travels were enjoyed with her children. From Alaska to Mexico and everywhere in between she continued her journeys.
In 2008 she made her last move from Longview, Wash., to Hermiston. She remained there fiercely independent and making friends with every person who crossed her path with her light-heartedness and drawer full of chocolates.
Gladys is survived son John Hagerty of Seaside; daughter K.C. Lorenzen (Dave) of Hermiston; grandson Noel LeRoux of Washington, D.C.; granddaughter Sarah LeRoux of Hermiston; great-grandson Sean Stewart and extended family of cousins, nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by parents Gust and Marie, Husband Bill and Sister Katherine
A celebration of life service will be held on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016 at 11 a.m. at Burns Mortuary Chapel in Hermiston.
Burial will be at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland.
Please sign the online guest book at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
