Leta Hagens

Leta Frances Newton Hagens passed away peacefully on October 28, 2022, at the age of 86 surrounded by her beloved family. Born on December 19, 1935, in Littlefield, TX, Leta was the youngest daughter of the late Arville and Inez Cline Newton.

Leta graduated from Frenship High School in Wolfforth, where she was not only proud to say she never missed a single day of school but was also the recipient of the American Legion Award her senior year. Shortly after graduating, she married her high school sweetheart, Allen Hagens, on May 29, 1954.

Leta and Allen then began their life together, building their family and running the family farm. Leta was never one to worry about getting her hands dirty and was as likely to be found tilling the fields or tending livestock as she was staying at home whipping up her famous homemade chocolate ice cream. Truly a woman of many talents, it was rare to find a skill that Leta had not mastered. She was a decorated glass welder, painter, seamstress, sculptor, milliner, baker and cook, going above and beyond for every birthday, holiday, and special occasion.

Though Leta was a proud stay-at-home mother, her role as the family’s matriarch took her far beyond life on the farm, even going so far as Washington to help lobby on behalf of West Texas agriculture. Leta was instrumental in helping launch the Llano Estacado Winery, where she not only oversaw operations on the Hagens Vineyard, setting up wine tastings and tours of the farm, but also took charge of the winery’s tasting room and frontiered gift basket design. For many years, Leta volunteered in the Women’s Building at the South Plains Fair, and was an active member at her church, Shepherd King Lutheran.

A true December baby, Leta adored Christmas. Her collection of Santa figurines was large enough to rival even most holiday boutiques, and you could be sure to find her home decorated for the season as soon as the first leaves began to turn. Along with her favorite holiday, she loved cats, her parrot, Barney, and treating herself to a pedicure. Most of all, though, she loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Leta is survived by her husband, Allen; her son, Randy (Virginia) Hagens; daughters, Cynthia (Rollo) Gurss and Shari (Randy) Holloway; her grandchildren, Amanda (Matthew) Craft, Ashley (Jeffrey) Williams, Trace (Chelsea) Gurss, Kimber (Sophie) Sargent, Emily Hagens and Christina Hagens; great-grandchildren, Taylor Craft, Nickolas Williams, Charlotte Williams, Brinley Craft, Wolfgang Gurss, Duke Gurss and Beckett Sargent; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents and three siblings.

The family of Leta will host a gathering of family and friends at 10 a.m. Saturday, November 5, 2022, at Lake Ridge Chapel and Memorial Designers. You are invited to share stories of Mr. and Mrs. Hagens with her family here on this page. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Shepherd King Lutheran Church memorial fund at www.shepherdking.org.

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