Frances Rae Baggerly, 95, a longtime Baker County resident, died February 12, 2004, at St. Elizabeth Health Services after a short illness.
Her funeral will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Baker City Christian Church, 2998 Eighth St. Pastor Roger Scovil and Bob Whiteman will officiate. There will be a reception afterward in the church fellowship hall. Visitation will be until 8 o’clock tonight at Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, 1500 Dewey Ave.
Frances was born on Sept. 4, 1908, to Frank and Mary Bown Bamford of Junction City. The family moved to a homestead on Happy Valley Road near Nampa, Idaho, in 1909. Frances attended grade school at Happy Valley and was a Nampa High School graduate.
She married Richard Dean Baggerly on Aug. 2, 1926, at Nampa. They farmed in the Treasure Valley for many years while raising four children.
In 1946, Frances and Dean moved to Oregon where they ranched for many years in the Keating Valley. Frances was a hard worker and could often be found working right alongside Dean. Although the ranch kept her busy, she was involved in many other interests as well.
She enjoyed vegetable gardening and raising flowers and was involved in 4-H as a leader. She also participated in Home Extension programs, the Grange and exhibited many items in the local fairs.
Frances spent several successful years selling Bee Line Clothing. She even managed to make enough money in this venture to purchase her own automobile, which she used to travel for her sales. In all these efforts, it was the people she had contact with who brought her joy.
After retiring and moving to Baker City, Frances enjoyed spending time at her ceramic shop and teaching classes. Fishing and camping with her family were also among her favorite things to do. She will be greatly missed by friends and family.
Frances was very active in her church, which she loved very much. She was involved in the Mary Marthas for many years along with many other church activities. She was devoted to reading her Bible daily. In her later years, with failing eyesight, she read the New Testament through a magnifying glass. She read just a couple of words now and then and still managed to complete the reading in less than a year.
Survivors include three sons, Richard “Dick” and his wife, Bonnie, of Echo, Don and his wife, Barb, of Baker City and Gaylord and his wife, LaDonna, of Baker City; two sisters, Zelda Moore of Junction City, and Lucille Case of Seattle, Wash.; and one brother, Bud, and his wife, Byrl Bamford, of Cheshire; 18 grandchildren, 47 great-grandchildren, and 39 great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 74 years, Dean, who died in 2001 just three months shy of their 75th wedding anniversary; a daughter, Evelyn; a son-in-law Ken Stewart; three sisters; and one grandson.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to the Baker City Christian Church Building Fund through Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel, P.O. Box 726, Baker City, OR 97814.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, February 20, 2004
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor