Rita Bertha Haag

Rita Bertha Perron Haag, a long-time resident of Grand Junction, died on March 15, 2024 in Montrose. Mrs. Haag was born on July 6, 1930 in Glover, Vermont to Ernest and Maria Gagnon Perron, immigrants from Quebec. She was born at home on the family farm, the sixth of sixteen surviving children. At home she helped her mother to care for her many younger sisters and brothers, and with the many farm and household chores. She first learned English when she began school at age six; she was very proud of her French Canadian heritage and her ability to speak French.

Rita graduated from Sacred Heart Academy in Newport, Vermont in 1948. She worked for a time for Ralston Purina in St. Johnsbury as a bookkeeper.

When Rita was sixteen, working at a girls’ camp, she met her future husband Raymond Haag, who was visiting his mother, also an employee at the camp. They married on June 9, 1949 and remained married for 63 years until Raymond’s death in 2011.

Rita was a homemaker and mother of nine children. The young family moved from Vermont to California in 1953, to follow better employment opportunities. Raymond began work for the Federal Aviation Administration in 1959, which took the family to several places in Colorado, including Gypsum, Kremmling, Gunnison, Cortez, Palisade, and Grand Junction, with one station in Salt Lake City. The couple eventually retired in Grand Junction, where they lived until Raymond’s death. Rita relocated to Montrose when living alone became too big a burden for her.

Rita was a devout Catholic all her life. She was a member of both St. Joseph’s and Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Churches in Grand Junction. She was a faithful congregant, participating in many religious services. She was especially gratified to donate to a number of charities.

Rita is survived by daughters Claire Haag of Grand Junction, Marcia Haag (Edward Baron) of Silver Spring, Maryland, Diane Ford (Stan) of Kennesaw, Georgia, Laura Gomez (Manuel) of Montrose, Valerie Martinez (Salvador) of Las Vegas, Nevada, and by sons Michael (Sunny) of Florence, Erik (Virginia) of Grand Junction, Kristofer (Bernadette), of Palisade, and Matthew (Peggy), of Johnstown. She had 34 grandchildren and 50 great-grandchildren, who delighted her and filled her with pride.

She is also survived by sisters Estelle Parmeter of Leomeinster, Massachusetts, Yolande Chamberlain of Lyndonville, Vermont, and Cecile Davignon of West Lebanon, New Hampshire; and by brothers Richard Perron of Glover, Vermont, and Nelson Perron of Mesa, Arizona; and by numerous brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews.

A Rosary will be held April 5 at 7:00 at Callahan-Edfast Mortuary. A funeral Mass will be held April 6 at 11:00 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Burial will occur at 12:30 April 6 at the Palisade Cemetery.