Hazel Evelyn Stauffenecker, 86
Hazel Evelyn Stauffenecker was born on October 11, 1927, in Oslo, MN to Oscar and Helen (Nelson) Nelson. She grew to womanhood in Birchdale, MN, near Baudette, and graduated from Baudette High School in 1946. Hazel attended Deaconess School of Nursing in Grand Forks, ND and graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1950. In September of that year she began her nursing career in the newly opened Greenbush Hospital where she worked until 1952.
Hazel was united in marriage to LeRoy “Buck” Stauffenecker on August 20, 1952 in Greenbush and that is where they made their home. Hazel took 8 years off to raise her family and returned to work at the Greenbush Hospital in 1960.
LeRoy passed away on December 18, 1977 and Hazel continued to make her home in Greenbush and work at the Greenbush Hospital until her retirement in 1991. Hazel moved to the Skylite Apartments in Thief River Falls in February 2014 and had recently moved to Oakland Park Nursing Home in Thief River Falls where she passed away on Sunday, June 15, 2014 at the age of 86 years, 8 months, and 4 days.
Hazel was a longtime member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Greenbush, St. Ann’s Sodality, and a Lay Communion Distributor in the Greenbush community. She was an avid card player and a Minnesota Twin’s fan but the most important part of her life was her family.
She is survived by her children Linda (Mike) Blumer of Greenbush,
Lonnie (Cheryl) Stauffenecker of Warren, MN, and Gail Hjelle of Thief River Falls, MN; 13 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; 1 brother, Leroy (Margit) Nelson of Baudette, MN., along with several nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
Hazel was preceded in death by her husband, parents, 1 granddaughter, Teri Lynn, 1 great grandson, Jacob and her son in law Layton.
Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10:00AM, Thursday, June 19, 2014 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Greenbush with Fr. Luis Buitron presiding. Jeanne Novacek was the Organist and the Song Leader and Colette Mooney and Jan Burkel were Eucharistic Ministers.
Joy Sand and Vivian Omdahl were Gift Bearers, Ely and Ethan Novacek were Altar Servers, and Hazel’s son Lonnie Stauffenecker was the Reader. Hazel’s grandsons Todd, Tim, and Travis Blumer, Scott Stauffenecker, Mitchel and Murray Hjelle, and Merrit Olson were Casket Bearers while Hazel’s granddaughters Tina Tracy, Tonia, Tricia, Melissa, and Mikala were her Honorary Bearers.
Visitation was held after 6:00PM, Wednesday, June 18, 2014 at the Church with a Prayer Service at 7:00PM, and Rosary followed led by St. Ann’s Sodality. Visitation was also held one hour prior to services at the church. Interment services were held at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Cemetery following services.
Arrangements with Collins Funeral Home of Greenbush.
