Dorothy Farmer Hagman, 89, passed away peacefully on Aug. 26, 2024, with her husband Bill Hagman, her daughter Phyllis and her son-in-law, Leo, by her side. Born in Alexandria, LA, Nov. 26, 1934, to Devant and Freda Farmer, Dorothy (Dot) was a proud graduate of Bolton High School and Northwestern Louisiana State University where she majored in Speech and Hearing Therapy and Drama. Subsequently, she served several years as a therapist for hearing impaired children in Shreveport and Alexandria schools. She also served as Worthy Advisor to Rainbow Girls.
In 1953, Dot married Ben Almgren and of that union Phyllis and Steve were born. Together Dot and her husband became owners of Pelican Tobacco Company. After Ben’s unexpected and untimely passing in 1977, Dot, as principal owner, successfully managed the firm with her life-long friend, Richard Lofton. She received several honors within the candy and tobacco industry Woman of the Year in Louisiana and Woman of the Year in the National Association of Tobacco Distributors. During that period, she had time to become the founder, first President and long-time Board member of the Alexandria Country Day School.
Dot met her future husband, Bill Hagman, while attending an industry function in Monte Carlo, FR. They danced to Feelings and continued to do so in more than 40 of the 50 countries they visited during their marriage. Having sold her business, she moved to Pittsburg, KS, in 1981. There she held memberships in the Presbyterian Church, PEO and Crestwood Country Club. Dot became a partner in Bill’s business which was in the same industry as hers. They maintained a second home in Kansas City where they were active in Bill’s YPO, WPO and held membership in the Carriage Club. They have been long-term supporters of the Toy and Doll Museum and the United Federation of Doll Collectors - both in Kansas City. Living close to the Lawrence area they attended many KU football and basketball games. Dot, having earned an A in High School Basketball became a Jayhawk basketball fan and when following a game on TV usually “assisted” coach Bill Self rather loudly. Dot was an associate member of the KU Alumni Association and along with Bill, 40 years a member of the Chancellor Club.
In 1987, they built a home in Naples, FL in Wyndemere Country Club and remained members for 28 years before moving to Moorings Park eleven years ago. Dot served as President of the Villa Floresta Association and many years on Wyndemere’s ARC committee. Locally, she received Rotary’s Paul Harris award and was a charter member of the Collier Republican Club, but her passion was her large doll collection. Dot served many terms including President of the Naples Doll Club. In recent years, she was a founding member of the SWFL Antique Doll Study Guild. Her collection primarily focused on French and German dolls of the 1800 era, and most were acquired at auctions or on their multiple doll trips to France and Germany. She was a member of Moorings Presbyterian Church, and Moorings Country Club.
Every day began with two crossword puzzles…in ink! Her greatest passions were her family, her husband Bill, her daughter Phyllis Estrada (Leo) Overland Park, KS; her grandson Stephen Estrada (Jaime) Morgantown, WVA; granddaughter Maddie Crawford (Brad), Prairie Village, KS; plus, an absolute total obsession with her three great-granddaughters, the first of which is named Dottie, along with Stella and Gigi. In addition, she is survived by her stepdaughter Jennifer Hagman-Hazell MD (Don) Golden, CO; step-grandchildren Nick Hazell (Berlin, Germany) and Marisa Hazell (Denver, CO); Surviving also are her beloved sisters, Alice Roberts (Ted) Shreveport; Ann Klassen (John) Kansas City and sister-in-law Sharon Redmond (Richard) Litchfield Park AZ and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Dot was preceded in death by her parents Devant and Freda Farmer, her first husband Ben Almgren, her son Steve Almgren and her stepson, Alan Hagman.
Special thanks to Avow Hospice and her concierge doctor, Tameca Bakker, MD. A memorial service was held Sept. 14, 2024, in Bower Chapel at Moorings Park. The service can be viewed on YouTube at https://tinyurl.com/dothagman
The family suggests donations to Pittsburg Presbyterian Church, 6th and Pine, Pittsburg Kansas 66762 or Avow Hospice, 1095 Whippoorwill Lane, Naples, FL 34105 or Samaritans Purse, PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607. Arrangements were entrusted to Fuller Funeral Home in Naples, FL. Cremains to be interred at a later date in the Hagman family plot in Highland Park Cemetary. Details to be announced by Brenner Mortuary.
