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Yvonne Hager Obituary

Yvonne Siard Hager

Our beautiful mother Yvonne Siard Hager passed away on February 25, 2011 in Issaquah, Washington at the age of 95. She was born May 31, 1915 in Winnemucca, Nevada to Sylvain Siard and Blanche Robert Siard. Sylvain Siard was a prominent rancher after whom a creek was named 60 miles North of Winnemucca and a canyon was named 50 miles South of Winnemucca. Yvonne was a "tomboy" who rode horses and refused to be limited to gender roles imposed upon girls at the time. Yvonne's father died suddenly when she was 11 years old, and since her mother Blanche had been a homemaker who preferred speaking her native language, French, Yvonne basically assumed the duties of head-of-household for her mother and two younger brothers at an early age. Without the selfless devotion of her brother Rene Amat, the family would not have been able to continue its ranching tradition through the Great Depression. Yvonne was very bright, and graduated from Humboldt County High School at the age of 16 and from the University of Nevada Reno at the age of 18 with a teaching degree. Upon her graduation, with her mother she made her first trip to France where her beauty caused crowds of men to follow her in the streets and ask if she was an American movie star. Her first teaching job was in a one-room schoolhouse at the Pearce Ranch in Pershing County, south of Winnemucca. She next worked for one year at the state employment office in Lovelock and then for eleven years taught the second grade at the Winnemucca Grammar School. It was at the annual St. Patrick's Day fete at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Winnemucca that she met her future husband Ed Hager with whom she eloped in 1950. Since at the time married women were not allowed to teach school, Yvonne was forced to resign her teaching position upon her marriage. Her husband's job required him to travel the world and be away most of the time on business, so Yvonne continued to have the responsibilities of running the household and caring for her aging mother until Blanche's death at the age of 94. Yvonne always believed in the importance of education, and she taught her two sons to read when they were three years of age. She was devoted to her family and her brothers, who continued in the business of ranching in which the Siard family engaged for 108 years in Northern Nevada. Yvonne was constant in her love and care for her husband, sons, mother and brothers, making sure that they always had a warm and welcoming home and good food to eat. In 1966 she was chosen as Mrs. Nevada and competed in the national Mrs. America contest in San Diego. An accomplished cook, she competed in the National Chicken Cooking Contest in 1969. After their sons had gone to college and Ed had retired, Yvonne and Ed were able to travel and they were like newlyweds. Unfortunately this period was brief-lived when Ed suddenly died in 1980. After her husband's death, Yvonne continued to reside in Winnemucca to be close to help her brothers who continued ranching. To the end, Yvonne was generous in every way and always placed the needs of her family above her own. She loved her family above all else. Yvonne had a strong commitment to justice and abhorred "man's inhumanity to man," and contributed to numerous charities and causes to improve the plight of children and Native Americans and hospitalized veterans. She also took an active role in civic groups. She was a charter member of the Winnemucca Business and Professional Club and the Eta Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority; a life member of St. Paul's Altar Society; and a member of the American Association of University Women. Yvonne's energy and spirit will be greatly missed by her sons, grandchildren and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents Sylvain and Blanche Siard, husband Ed Hager, and her brothers Rene Amat, Robert Siard and Cesar Siard. Yvonne is survived by her sons Harold (Sarah) and Robert (Lisa), and her grandchildren Elizabeth, Robert, Ian, John, Ryne, Chantal and Mark.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday March 5, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Winnemucca. Burial will take place at the Winnemucca Cemetery immediately following the Mass. Arrangements are under the direction of Albertson Funeral Home in Winnemucca.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Reno Gazette Journal and Lyon County News Leader from Mar. 1 to Mar. 4, 2011.

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Jacquey Surratt

March 22, 2011

I just found out of Yvonne's passing today, and am saddened to hear the news. She and I talked quite a few times on her home in Nevada,and how she always looked forward to coming to Nevada. She was just a riot and so tough, I always enjoyed her sharp edge and lively talks! I'll miss her, and you have my most sincere condolences.

Jean Lewis

March 8, 2011

Dear Hal and Sarah, I am deeply saddened to hear of Yvonne's passing. I am so glad that I had the opportunity to meet such a lovely woman. I will never forget the Cirque evening...Yvonne had a constant smile on her face! My heart goes out to you and your family. Fondly, Jean Lewis

Michael Day

March 5, 2011

Bob and Harold, I just found out about your mothers passing today. I have been out of touch this week and missed it in the paper. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your families. I am very saddened to hear about this but I will never forget the good times we had at your home with her.
All my best, Michael Day

Robert Rene Hager

March 3, 2011

Ken and Carol, thanks for your kind words. And ken, thanks for the following links to Siard Creek and Siard Canyon.

http://travelingluck.com/North+America/United+States/Nevada/_5708517_Siard+Creek.html#local_map

http://travelingluck.com/North+America/United+States/Nevada/_5708515_Siard+Canyon.html#local_map

Robert Rene Hager

March 3, 2011

Thanks, Ken, for sending the following links to Siard Creek and Siard Canyon.

http://travelingluck.com/North+America/United+States/Nevada/_5708517_Siard+Creek.html#local_map

http://travelingluck.com/North+America/United+States/Nevada/_5708515_Siard+Canyon.html#local_map

March 3, 2011

Dear Robert

Carol and I are saddened to hear of your mother's passing. The western United States has been graced with your mothers life.

Ken and Carol Ann McLeod

Ken McLeod

March 3, 2011

Dear Robert

Carol and I are saddened to hear your mother passed away.

Ken and Carol Ann McLeod

March 2, 2011

. Yvonne always found time to say hello whenever we met. Our sincere sympathy . Josephine Reeves and Honorine Pedroli

March 2, 2011

I only know Yvonne thru Sarah, Harold and their children. But what I know is she was loved and admired. She had a long, productive and happy life. When I heard Lizzy speak about her grandmother I could tell she had impacted her life in a most postive way! I wish I could have met her. Sonja Hruska AKA Mrs. Syrup

Ken Watkins

March 2, 2011

I will remember Yvonne circle dancing at Granddaughter Lizzy's wedding reception just a few years ago -- beautiful and graceful.

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