Wesley Lawrence Hazel

[Guest Nicole]

Wesley L. Hazel passed away at home, where he wanted to be with his family who loved him, on October 22, 2017. He was 81 years old.Wesley was born March 19, 1936, in Farmington, Minnesota, to parents, Lawrence and Dora Hazel. He spent his first 18 years of life on the family farm in Farmington and later, White Bear Lake. After graduating from Mahtomedi High School, he attended the Gale Institute to learn how to become a telegrapher so he could work for the railroad, which he did for many years-first for the MandSTL, then SPandS, and Chicago Northwestern Railroads. He was a good provider for his family, working also at Ford Motor Co., Wackenhut at St. Paul Minneapolis Airport, long-haul driver, and finally, Jefferson County Public Works in Madras for 13 years, retiring in 1999.

Annual hunting trips were a must for the Hazel family, a tradition he carried on for as long as he could. He enjoyed creation and continued to watch deer and birds in his yard in later years.

He married his high school sweetheart, Maxine (Berglund), on November 13, 1954, and they raised two special children together, Paul and Deborah. They lived in Oregon 48 plus years.

Wesley was a member of the Christian congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Madras, attending his last meeting on October 7, 2017.

Wes is survived by his wife, Maxine; son, Paul of Culver; daughter, Deborah (Larry) Lance of Madras; granddaughter, Bree Brooks of Bend; sister, Marjorie (Kenneth) Schmalz and family; sister-in-law, Audrey Talcott and family; brother, Michael Kampher and family. He leaves a hole that can’t be filled and a family knowing their world will be a lesser place without him.

A private celebration of his life will be held at a later date.

http://www.bendbulletin.com/obituaries/5740417-151/wesley-lawrence-hazel