Elizabeth (Heil) “Liz” Hazen, 93, longtime Brule resident, went to be with her Lord and Savior Feb. 19, 2018, at Indian Hills Manor of Ogallala.
Elizabeth was born on Feb. 2, 1925, to Michael and Caroline (Buyer) Heil in Moorefield. She attended grade school in the Moorefield/Curtis area, graduating from Curtis Ag School in 1943.
Elizabeth married Lyle Hazen of Wellfleet in 1944, and they were blessed with seven children, Sheron, Donald, Larry, Jack, Carol, Rick and Lynn.
During World War II, Liz helped serve coffee and sandwiches to the servicemen at the North Platte Canteen. Liz will be forever remembered for her acts of kindness and willingness to help wherever needed. She was a faithful volunteer for many years, delivering commodities in the Ogallala and Brule areas.
She was employed as a cook at local steakhouses and cafes for more than 40 years. Liz worked for 20 years at Virg’s Cafe in Brule. Liz was a very good cook and baker, known for her fried chicken, delicious pies and often-requested cinnamon rolls. She enjoyed working outdoors, tending her flower beds and feeding a large variety of birds and squirrels. Up until her 92nd year, she continued to mow and maintain her considerably large lawn.
She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; six siblings, Caroline, David, Jacob, Michael, Alfred and Reinhold; son-in-law, Omar Clark; daughter-in-law, Kandace Hazen; and a great-granddaughter, Shelby Pelton.
Survivors include two daughters, Sheron Clark of Custer, South Dakota, and Carol (Dionicio) Jara of Beaumont, California; five sons, Donald (Anne) Hazen of North Platte, Larry (Sally) Hazen and Jack (Cathy) Hazen, all of Brush, Colorado, and Rick Hazen of Orangeburg, South Carolina, and Lynn Hazen of Brule; one sister, Katherine Wingett of North Platte; sister-in-law, Cleona Douglas of Ogallala; 17 grandchildren, Adam (Amanda) Hazen of North Platte, Aaron (Heidi) Hazen of Wasilla, Alaska, David (Trish) Hazen of Blue Hill, Tammy (T.J.) Floyd of Evans, Colorado, Mechelle Hazen of Brush, Colorado, Becky (Doug) Pelton of Sturgis, South Dakota, Justin Hazen of Brush, LRod (Rosie) Jara of Yucaipa, California, Alisa (Ben) Williamson of Beaumont, California, Damian (Brianne) Jara of Highland, California, Zachariah Hazen of Santa Clara, California, Gabriel Hazen of Pratt, Kansas, Shawn Hazen of Sunnyvale, California, Rachel Hazen of West Palm Beach, Florida, Alan Hazen and Nicole Hazen, both of Ogallala, and Matt (Sarah) Hazen of Lincoln; 29 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; several cousins, nephews and nieces; and many special friends.
A memorial has been established. Online condolences may be shared at drauckerfuneralhome.com, where services will be live streamed for those unable to attend.
Services will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 24, at the Brule St. John’s Lutheran Church with the Rev. Jon Dickmander officiating. Inurnment will be at a later date at Wellfleet Cemetery. Draucker Funeral Home, Ogallala, is in charge of arrangements.