Imogene M. Hagan - Retty |
| Posted 2009-04-14 by Sharon |
| The Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, AZ January 31, 2001, p. A18 Imogene M. Retty - On Jan. 25, another page of area history was concluded. Imogene Retty of Morristown passed away of cancer. Imogene came to the Phoenix Valley in 1943 from Jasper County, Missouri. She worked with A.J. Bayless for several years as a cashier in the 3rd Avenue and Van Buren area. In 1946 she purchased the Italian restaurant that stood where her Morristown house now stands. When the restaurant burned down, the family gathered nearby desert rocks, and by hand built the current rock house that is a local trademark today. People from all parts of the United States have been repeat customers of her famous Cactus Ranch Nursery. Imogene's extensive business began unintentionally when she was helping her son, Kenneth, earn extra money during his high school days. Together they nurtured and protected damaged cactus from another's cactus business. At one time, she had over 800 varieties of cacti from all parts of the world. Her acquired knowledge and skill became legendary and continued to be one of her favorite activities for her lifetime. Hundreds of local taste buds have experienced Imogene's famous made-from-scratch cactus jelly at Christmas time, as she and her husband John shared delicious jars of jelly with family and friends. Imogene loved nature and preferred to work with her plants and animals above all else. Among other kinds of livestock, she excelled at raising birds. For years the guinea hen and peacock calls were just an accepted part of life around her part of the country. She has raised and sold pheasants, quail, geese, turkeys, parakeets and ducks. More recently Imogene hand raised and sold canaries and cockatiels. About 1950, Imogene and family began developing the trailer park known as Cactus Ranch Trailer Park next to where she lived. Also at this time, they were operating a successful chicken ranch. She and her son were regulars throughout the Wickenburg area as they delivered fresh chicken and eggs to the doors of their many customers. In 1967 Imogene married her soul mate, John Retty, of Retty's Hardware in Wittmann. They could be seen together at community events such as the firemen's barbecue every year. Imogene was born at home in Alba, Missouri on Aug. 14, 1913. She is survived by her husband, John Retty; her son, Kenneth Gene Hagen of Scottsdale; and three grandchildren, Carol Merlino of Seattle, Wash., Bert Hagen of Goodyear, and Judy Philpott of Vale, Ore. There are nine great-grandchildren. Imogene was deeply loved and will be sorely missed by all her family and many friends. Funeral services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 1, at the Wickenburg Funeral Home, 187 N. Adams St., Wickenburg. |
Note: These obituaries are transcribed as published and are submitted by volunteers who have no connection to the families. They do not write the obituaries and have no further information other than what is posted within the obituaries. We do not do personal research. For this you would have to find a volunteer who does this or hire a professional researcher.
Questions About This Project?