Longtime Sierra Madrean Lucille Hoegee Passes Away in Oregon

Posted 5/22/12 – Lucille “Nana” Meyers Hoegee died May 14, 2012 surrounded by her family at her granddaughter’s home in Klamath Falls, Oregon.  Lucille Meyers Rasmussen was born February 29, 1912 in Chicago, IL, but soon moved to Lancaster, California.  She would spend her childhood there on her father’s ranch and graduated from LancasterHigh 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 in Sierra Madre, California, where, in 1907, the Hoegee family had opened Hoegee’s Campground Resort in Big Santa Anita Canyon.   Lucille was a talented painter, avid gardener and fantastic cook.  She delighted in preparing large family meals and having everyone gathered in her home. 

Lucille stayed busy as a member of many clubs and organizations, including The Elks, Emblem Club, Sierra Madre Woman’s Club, Sierra Madre Historical Society, Republican Women’s Club, San Gabriel Fine Arts, Garden Club and her Lutheran Church.  She enjoyed camping, bowling and sewing, but more than anything she loved spending time with family and friends. 

After her husband’s passing in 1975, Lucille traveled the world, including many countries in Europe, Mexico and South America, as well as the United States and Canada.  Lucille’s beautiful blue eyes have been passed down as a distinguishing family trait and those that didn’t get her eye color carry her genuine heart and zest for life. 

Lucille moved to Klamath Falls, Oregon to be closer to family in February of 2012 after her family celebrated her 100^th birthday at her home in Sierra Madre.  Lucille was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, her husband and her only child, Arnold.  Lucille is survived by two grandchildren, Karen (Bob) Baker and David (Heather) Hoegee, six great grandchildren, Brandon (Alley), Justin, Jessica, Haley, Jake and Ben, and a great, great, grandson, Vinton Robert.  The family is grateful to Heather, Lucille’s granddaughter-in-law and her great, great grandson, Brandon and Alley, who provided wonderful loving care for the last three years of her life.  Lucille was a truly amazing woman, loved deeply by her family and a blessing to those whose lives she touched. 

A memorial service will be held at 7pm on Friday evening, June 8, 2012 at Turner & Stevens Live Oak Memorial Park, 200 E. Duarte Rd., in Monrovia.