Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
Hazel Catherine Christenson, the daughter of Mathilde Jane and Joseph Hansen, was born July 7, 1917 in Rose Grove Township near Popejoy. Hazel graduated from Iowa State University, College of Home Economics, in 1937 and worked at the World’s Fair in Brooklyn, N.Y. in 1939. Hazel taught home economics in Albert City and Lake Center until she married Curtis Carl Christenson, of Royal, on July 19, 1942. They met at the Cobblestone Ballroom in Storm Lake.
Hazel and Curtis lived and worked on a farm south of Royal. Hazel pursued lifelong interests in education and community service. She maintained her home economics involvement through active participation in 4-H and Cooperative Extension programming. In addition, she volunteered at the Royal library and Bethlehem Lutheran Church. For many years, she enjoyed being an active member of the Federated Women’s Club and her bridge club. Hazel enjoyed gardening, traveling and seeing friends and family.
In 1997, Hazel and Curtis moved to Spencer where she enjoyed her new neighbors and friends. Hazel was an enthusiastic and energetic woman with an outgoing personality. She was always interested in others, especially children. Her spirit is captured well by a limerick from one of her grandsons celebrating her 100th birthday:
Our Hazel’s a gregarious lass
Her vocal stamina none can surpass
All the folks on the street
Say “This lady’s so sweet!”
Now if she’d only let passersby pass!
Hazel passed away at St. Luke’s Lutheran Home in Spencer on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021, at the age of 103. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Curtis; and her daughter, Marcia Coles.
Those left to cherish her memory are her children: Brian and his wife, Mary; Susan and her husband, Mark Mahoney; and Steven and his wife, Lisa; eight grandchildren: Peter Coles, David Coles, Andrew Christenson, Megan Christenson, Katie Mahoney, Patrick Mahoney, Matthew Christenson and Nicholas Christenson; five great-grandchildren: Coralie Hazel Coles, Ira Coles, Solomon Coles, Thora Oszkay-Coles and Maxwell Mahoney; and a host of family and friends.
Memorial services will be held at a later date. Warner Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be made to Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Royal, St. Luke Lutheran Home in Spencer, or Royal Public Library in Royal.
