Hope Jenell (Armagost) Aagesen

Hope Jenell (Armagost) Aagesen passed on August 8, 2024. Hope was surrounded by her children and husband, supported and loved by her siblings, grandchildren, countless extended family members, numerous friends and some of the most amazing caregivers.

Hope was born on December 14, 1956 to Mervin and Roberta (Gilbert) Armagost.  Hope was the youngest of six children and lived most of her life in Yuma.  She graduated from Yuma High School and married her high school sweetheart, Kent Richards on April 15,1974. They made Yuma their home and their family began to instantly grow. Together they had 4 children, Aaron, Ryan, Tylor and Bree.  She was a homemaker, a caregiver, a bookkeeper, a co-owner and operator of Richards Oil and later Sky Video.  Hope and the family spent many summer weekends at lakes Enders and McConaughey, she loved the friend and family time, but hated when the sailboat would lean, list or heel.  Hope’s biggest accomplishment was being a mom; she had her first son Aaron at the young age of 17, she cared for, grieved and buried her second son Ryan, and she added two more to her family, Tylor and Bree.  She overcame many heartaches, challenges and tragic events in her life; all of those events impacted her, but never defined her. As a mom she knew exactly what to say to us, knew when to simply hug us and reassure us everything would be ok, she would unexpectedly call us somehow knowing we need to hear her voice, she loved us always and would do anything to support us.   She was one of the strongest, most compassionate and loving women we have ever known.

Hope married Michael Aagesen in April of 1995, which added Michael’s two previous children Brandon and Leslie to her family.  Hope was the receptionist at the Yuma Clinic and later the Manager.  Hope and Mike also worked at and later managed The Club at Indian Hills Golf Course.  They both loved their time working as a team and socializing with community members.  Hope and Mike really enjoyed their Friday Night Friends Group, they were a vital part of their social life and they shared many great times together.  Hope loved Mike, and the two of them were inseparable.  They were married 29 years, and were together until the very end.  In her final weeks, when she didn’t recognize many around her, she always knew Mike. 

Her blended Armagost/Richards/Aagesen family consists of 6 children, their 4 spouses and 17 grandkids.  Hope made it a point to include all 3 families, which was much appreciated by her 3 surviving children.  It was her children and grandchildren that helped unite the blended family, all 17 grand children arrived during this marriage.  Hope loved each and everyone of them as if they were her own.  The family often held combined family events, and shared in all the major milestones such as weddings, graduations, birthdays, holidays and funerals.  Hope loved everyone and sought to be accepting and forgiving of all.  Hope had the most beautiful handwriting, enjoyed improving the Armagost Family property when her and Mike were the residents and later the owners, she loved living there as a child and as an adult.  Hope attended many of the grandchildren’s life events, despite the geographic distance.  She felt great pride in her grandchildren and always wanted to hear from them and be informed of everything they were doing.  Hope had many friends in Yuma, many of them showed their love and provided much needed support before they moved to Arizona in February of 2024.  Mom and the family will always remember and love them for their support.

Hope is survived by her husband Mike; her son, Aaron Richards and spouse Kristi, their children Tristan and Zachary; son, Tylor Richards and spouse Desiree, their children Jessica, Alexander (Matty) and Rylan; daughter, Bree Phifer and spouse Brandon their child Brayden; son, Brandon Aagesen children Jory, Cameron, Remington and Rhett; daughter, Leslie Olivarez and spouse Joseph, their children Alex, Gabe, Ben, Alessa, Juni Hope and Juanto. 

She is also survived by brother, Jack Armagost; brother, Pat Armagost and wife, Jacque; sister, Sandi Moore and husband Steve; and their families; nieces and nephews; countless aunts, uncles and cousins.  We love you all.

Surviving in-laws include; sister, Arleta Reyes and husband Julian; sister, Judy Chandler; sister, Teresa Blair; brother, Steve Aagesen; and their families; nieces and nephews; many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Hope is proceeded in death by her son, Ryan Kent Richards; sister, Marilyn Jo Homm; sister, Peggy Lynn Armagost; parents, Mervin and Roberta (Gilbert) Armagost; in-laws, Marvin (Mike) and Carla (Snelling) Aagesen; grandson, Damion Aagesen.

Hope will be laid to rest next to her son, Ryan Kent Richards, in the blended family plot adjacent to her parents Mervin and Roberta (Gilbert) Armagost and previous in-laws Doug and Patricia Richards, previous brother-in-law Gregg Richards.

Memorials are preferred in lieu of flowers.

Funeral Service: Saturday, August 17, 2024 at 10:00 A.M. at the First Presbyterian Church in Yuma, Colorado.  Interment followed at the Yuma Cemetery in Yuma, Colorado. Pastor Michael Fitzsimmons will be officiating the service. A Celebration of Life – Saturday August 17, 2024 at 5:00 P.m. at the Eckley Community Center in Eckley, Colorado. 

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.