Lucille Hoegee, photo courtesy of the Hoegee family, click to enlarge
Posted 2/23/12 – I just received the following letter, and contacted the sender, Heather Hoegee, wife of Lucille Hoegee’s grandson. She tells me that I should include with the letter that if you knew Lucille, Vint or any of the Hoegees, you’re more than welcome to come visit with Lucille as she celebrates her birthday this Saturday at 91 E. Grand View, between 1 and 4pm.
On February 29th, Lucille M. Hoegee will be celebrating her 100th Birthday, but if you ask her, she’ll tell you she’s turning 25 After all, being born on leap year, she only has a birthday every four years.
Lucille Meyers Rasmussen was born in 1912 in Chicago, IL, but soon her family moved to Lancaster, CA. She would spend all her childhood there on her father’s ranch and graduated from Lancaster High School in 1931. She then met and married the love of her life, becoming Mrs. Vinton A. Hoegee. on Valentine’s Day 1932. Vint and Lucille settled here in their beloved Sierra Madre, where the Hoegee family had been in business since 1907 when they opened Hoegee’s Campground Resort in the Big Santa Anita Canyon. They would have one son, Vinton Arnold Jr, two grandchildren, Karen and David, six great grandchildren, Brandon, Justin, Jessica, Haley, Jake and Ben, and in 2010 a great, great grandson Vinton Robert.
Five generations of Hoegee’s and Lucille’s beautiful blue eyes have managed to be passed down the line as a distinguishing family trait. Those that didn’t get her eye color carry her genuine heart and zest for life.
Lucille has lived in Sierra Madre for over 65 years, where she has been very active in many community clubs. While Vinton did service to the community on the city council, Lucille was busy with The Elks, Emblem Club, Sierra Madre Woman’s Club, Historical Society, Republicans Woman’s Club, San Gabriel Fine Arts, Garden Club and her Lutheran Church. She has been through wars, fires, floods, winds, earthquakes, births, deaths, triumphs and tragedies and has never missed a Rose Parade. After Vint passed in 1975, Lucille traveled most of the world. She’s seen many countries in Europe including her family’s homeland, Holland. She’s been all over Mexico and South America as well as The United States and Canada. She will tell you her favorite place of all is right here in Sierra Madre. CA
She enjoys camping, gardening, bowling, sewing and has a passion for oil painting. Her family is very proud of all her accomplishments. She is a truly amazing person and is very loved by those blessed to know her personally.
Happy 100th Birthday, Nana Hoegee!
We Love You,
Your Family