Hazel Evelin Anderson, age 91, of rural Fosston, Minnesota, died on Thursday, February 8, 207, in Lufkin, Texas. She was spending the winter months in Texas with her daughter Carol and her husband, Bill.
Hazel was one of four children born to Ingbert and Olea (Pauska) Kroken. She was born at Four Town, Minnesota on October 20, 1915. Her parents were homesteading in the Four Town area. Hazel's mother died when Hazel was a mere five years old. She and her siblings were raised in Bemidji by their great aunt, who they lovingly called "Tanta" (Norwegian for aunt). Her father worked in Canada and other various locations to provide a living for the family.
Hazel was united in marriage to Leo Melvin Anderson, from Lengby, Minnesota, on April 23, 1932, in Bemidji. They lived on the family farm, near Popple Lake, that Leo's grandfather had homesteaded in the 1800's.
Hazel was an active member of the Bagley congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses. She was well known as an avid gardener. For years, she and Leo would plant and tend to a large vegetable garden, often having the grandchildren help with the harvesting of the vegetables. Hazel also crocheted afghans. She enjoyed making baby afghans to give as gifts. She also sewed quilts, which she generously gave to family and friends.
In the autumn of their lives, Hazel and Leo were able to extensively travel the United States and Canada. They even visited their niece, Vernie Nelson and her husband, Raymond, in Columbia, South America, while the Nelson's were missionaries. In the early 1970's Hazel and her sister Myrtle traveled to Norway to visit with their aunts and cousins from that country.
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Hazel was a devoted wife. Even though she was advanced in years, as Leo's health deteriorated, she continued to care for him at home. When his Parkinson's disease became too advanced to care for at home, she diligently visited him in the Bagley nursing home. Hazel was preceded in death by her husband Leo on March 6, 2003.
That had a loving union of 70 years that produced a family of three daughters and three sons. They are: Nancy (Allen) Hayes of Blackduck, Carol (Bill) Johnson of Bemidji, Larry (Norma) Anderson of Creston, Iowa, Charles (Carole) Anderson of Fosston, Michael (Marlene) Anderson of Cass Lake, and Susan (Roger) Hames of Northport, WA.
Grandchildren include: Timothy and Rebecca Hayes and Melissa Tindell. Jeanne Medicraft/Stouffer. Glenn and Robert Rafferty, Vernon Anderson and Tammy Voller. Randy, Scott and Angela Anderson. Kristina Holder, Anna Sangder, Molly Smith, and Amy Sangder. Hazel also had 32 great grandchildren and one great-great grandson. She loved them all.
Hazel was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two infant children, brother Leslie, sister Myrtle (Melvin) Urness. She is survived by one sister, Sylvia (Roy) Davis of California.
A memorial service for Hazel will be held on Friday, February 16, 2007 at 11:00 at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, Bagley, MN with Glenn Rafferty presiding. Internment will be at Lengby Village cemetery in the spring.
She will be greatly missed by all those who loved her.
--Paid obituary
