Hazel Lillian Oliver, 88, passed away in Humble, Texas on Sunday, August 7th, 2005. Hazel Lillian O’Neal was born at home in Anadarko, OK, to Arthur Winfield and Myrtle Alsup O'Neal on November 18, 1916. She was the fifth of eight children. She grew up and graduated from high school in Anadarko. She took telegraph training and worked for Western Union during her last years of high school.
On December 1, 1935, she married her childhood sweetheart, John Albert Oliver. They lived in Anadarko where their son, John Raymond (Jack) was born in December, 1937. While her husband was overseas during WW II, Hazel moved with Jackie to Pixley, California to be with her parents and family in the spring of 1943. Her daughter, Barbara Marilyn, was born in October, 1943, and twins, Alan Douglas and Phyllis Eileen, were born in October, 1946.
Hazel was active in Woman’s Club in Pixley and the EUB Church, taught Sunday School for many years in churches in California and Iowa, was active in women’s circle groups sewing quilts for Church World Service for many years in Mason City, Iowa. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Mason City until moving and attending Lake City United Methodist Church in Lake City, MN. She enjoyed reading, sewing, cooking, working all kinds of puzzles, and all activities relating to making a home for her husband and children. She and her husband enjoyed square dancing for many years during retirement.
She was athletic as a young girl and was the only girl on the traveling boys’ baseball team of her country school. She learned to play golf at the age of 40 at the encouragement of her husband, so they would be able to have a fun activity as they grew old together. They played regularly and often until she was 80. She played in many tournaments, usually winning or placing high in her flights.
The family moved to Mason City, Iowa, in June, 1960 when John became the manager of American Crystal Sugar Company. They lived in Mason City until after retirement in 1977. After retiring, Hazel and John Albert traveled extensively throughout the United States and Mexico, and also to the United Kingdom.
In August, 1979, they bought a home in Lake City, MN, where they lived from April through October spending the winters in Harlingen, TX, until June, 2000, when her husband of 64 ½ years died. After that, Hazel lived with her daughter, Phyllis, in Humble,TX.
Beginning November 2003, her son, Alan, spent every weekday caring for her in Phyllis’ and her home. She was well-loved and cared for by her twins who were present at her side for her death on Sunday, August 7, 2005.
Hazel is survived by three children: Marilyn of Lake City, MN, Phyllis of Humble, TX, and Alan of New Caney, TX; two grandchildren: Wesley Wellington Chant of Forest Lake, MN and Allison Oliver Chant of Minneapolis, MN; and one great-granddaughter, Ainsleigh Astrid Oliver Jensen of Minneapolis, MN. She was pre-deceased by her parents, 4 brothers, 3 sisters, her husband, 1 son, Jack, and 1 grandson, Matthew.
The family appreciates the wonderful, loving care for Hazel’s last 5 months by Northeast Hospice Services of Humble,TX. Any memorials may be made in her name to Northeast Hospice Services at 18951 Memorial North, Humble, 77338, phone 281-540-7852, toll-free 1-800-259-1002, or to an organization of donor’s choice.
Hazel will be missed by all who knew and loved her.
