Hazel Haugo

Hazel Haugo, 102, of rural Waubun, MN died Saturday, September 12, 2009, at the Eventide Home in Moorhead, MN. At the time of her death she was believed to be one of the oldest residents of Mahnomen County and graduates of Minnesota State University Moorhead. Hazel was born on January 19, 1907 to Ole and Barbro Syverson, Norwegian immigrants, on a farm near Ulen, MN. She was baptized on March 17, 1907 at the Atlanta Lutheran Church. Hazel attended elementary school at District 26 (the Tinjum School), a one-room rural school near their farm, and graduated from Ulen High School in 1926. Following high school, she attended Moorhead State Teachers College (MSTC), graduating in 1927. After graduation, Hazel taught for seven years in four different rural schools: Plentywood and Woodland Nook Schools in Norman County; Popple Grove School in Mahnomen County: and Troseth School in Becker County. On December 24, 1933, Hazel was united in marriage to Olaf Haugo at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ulen. They made their home in Popple Grove Township for 66 years until Olaf’s death in 1999. Hazel continued to live on the farm until 2004 when she moved to the Eventide Home in Moorhead. Hazel was a true farm woman of her generation, who supported the family’s farming business and also participated in a range of community activities. She was active in the Wild Rice Lutheran Church, Minnesota Farmers Union, Popple Grove 4-H Club, Popple Grove Homemakers Club and Waubun High School activities. In 1972, Hazel and Olaf were the recipients of the Valley Farmer and Homemaker Award at the Crookston (MN) Winter Shows. Family was first and foremost in Hazel’s life. She selflessly nurtured her large family of nine children including a special needs daughter with grace and love. Her domestic skills were legendary. She was an exceptional cook whose meals, especially her holiday and traditional Norwegian dishes, are remembered and missed by her entire family. She was an excellent seamstress and left a legacy of beautiful handiwork for her children and grandchildren. In later years, she read with passion and could still recite long passages of poetry from her days as a school teacher. Her love of young children continued to the last days of her life as a young child always brought a smile to her face and brightened her day. Hazel’s personality was somewhat reserved, but it was peppered with a dry, subtle sense of humor and comments that were all the more interesting in contrast to her usual shyness. She will be missed not only by her extensive family but also by so many who valued her as the last of her generation. The scripture, Matthew 25, aptly describes her life, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Hazel is survived by five sons: David (Jean), Waubun; John (Sharon), Hudson, WI; Olaf (Dianne), Hawley, MN; Donald, Bloomington, MN; and George (Mary), Fargo, ND; two daughters: Carole (Roger) Olsen, Moorhead, MN; and Patricia (Blair) Wheaton, Toronto, Canada; 23 grandchildren, and 40 great-grandchildren. Hazel was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Olaf; one son, Allan; and one daughter, Marie; nine brothers: and six sisters. Funeral Services were held on Wednesday, Sept. 16, at 10:30AM at Wild Rice Lutheran Church, rural Twin Valley, MN. Visitation was held on Tuesday, September 15, from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm, with a Prayer Service at 7:00 at the Anderson-Mattson Funeral Home in Mahnomen. Visitation was held one hour prior to the funeral at the church on Wednesday. Interment took place at Wild Rice Lutheran Cemetery, rural Twin Valley.

Hazel Haugo

January 19, 1907 - September 12, 2009