Hazel M. Harvego

Hazel M. Harvego age 92 of Detroit Lakes, MN died Nov. 11, 2012 at her residence. Hazel Marion Harvego was born on December 8, 1919 to Anton and Harda (Olson) Viken at their farm near Litchville, ND. She was baptized, confirmed, and married in North LaMoure Church. She attended a one room rural school for eight years before moving to town to work for an elderly couple so that she could attend high school. Following high school she worked at various jobs for the next two years before enrolling at Moorhead State College where she earned a teaching certificate. She taught in a school in Wilkin County near Rothsay, MN until her marriage to Alfred Harvego on June 21, 1944. They farmed in the Rothsay and Breckenridge area before moving into Breckenridge in 1949. Alfred passed away on August 23, 1965. Hazel served the Breckenridge Lutheran Church as Parish Education Director. She taught Sunday School and Bible School for many years. She also served as a Luther League Advisor and on the Church Council. She was a member of the quilters and president of WELCA. She touched many lives as a long time leader of the Sugar "?Nchr(39) Spice 4-H Club. She was an active member of the DFL Party. She was also a member of C-400 and a staunch supporter of Concordia College. She was a charter member of the Christian Womenchr(39)s Club and also the Sons of Norway. In 1985 Hazel moved to Detroit Lakes where she became involved with her church in quilting, circles, and evangelism. She was a member and past president of both the Retired Educators and Library Club in Detroit Lakes. Her family and church were very important to her. She dearly loved her twelve grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. She loved to write and memorize poetry and learned many Bible verses and songs. She had a great love for young people and made friends among them by listening to them and thanking them by word or letter. She loved fresh flowers-especially pink roses. She enjoyed Bible studies, baking bread, canning, making dill pickles, game shows, crossword puzzles, and any kind of sport, especially basketball and softball. Hazel was always interested in learning and teaching. In her later years she compiled a book entitled "Remembering the Little Red Schoolhouse," for the Library of Congress for their 200 anniversary, which preserves the history of the one room school. She and a teacher friend also did a television documentary about the early days of teaching in a one room school. Her favorite saying was, " A hundred years from now, it wonchr(39)t matter how much money I had in the bank, what kind of car I drove, or what kind of a house a lived in, but the world may be a little better because I was important in the life of a child." Hazel is survived by four daughters, Sharon (Roger) Josephson, of Detroit Lakes, MN; Betty (Dick) Mikkelson, of Faribault, MN; Shirley Paulson, of Green Bay, WI; and Barbara (Randy) Vangrud, of Fergus Falls, MN; twelve grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and one sister, Edna Tellinghuisen, of Hawarden, IA. Hazel was preceded in death by her husband, Alfred and her son, Robert Harvego. Hazel had a smile for everyone-young and old. She will be greatly missed.