Hazel Louise Brown Harl (1933 - 2020)

HARL, BROWN, YOUNG

Posted By: Pamela Wagler (email)
Date: 9/2/2020 at 08:56:00

The HawkEye
Burlington, Iowa
(online) 2 Sept. 2020

Hazel Louise Brown Harl

Hazel “Peg” Louise (Brown) Harl, 87, died at Franciscan Villa in South Milwaukee, WI, on August 18, 2020, after battling complications of COVID-19 for the last 4 months. Hazel was isolated from her family most of this time. A few days before she died, she said, “This is the damndest thing that has ever happened to me.”

Hazel was born in Sperry, Des Moines Co., IA, on June 18, 1933. She was preceded in death by her parents, John W. W. Brown and Ruby V. Young. Of their nine offspring, she was the last surviving child.

Hazel married Basil E. Harl on April 14, 1952, in Iowa City, IA. They have three children: Tina L. Harl of Kenosha, WI, Van E. Harl (Dawn Rausch) of Cudahy, WI, and Tara L. Harl of Maple Grove, MN. They also have three granddaughters: Anna Louise H. Sviben of Minneapolis, MN, Alisa L. (Erik Eliason) Harl of Morehead City, NC, and Felicity N. Harl of Portsmouth, VA.

Survivors include her husband and three of his siblings: Leota M. (Harl) Schaper of Columbus Junction, IA, L. Winston (Joelean) Harl of Simpsonville, SC, and Douglas L.(Tena) Harl of Corpus Christi, TX. She is also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews

Growing up, the Mississippi River bottom and Kingston, IA, was Hazel’s home. She graduated from Huron High School in 1951. As a girl, she was active in the local 4-H. She was a member of the Kingston United Methodist Church for 75 years.

After becoming a US Navy spouse in 1952, she traveled across the US and Europe with her husband and family for 26 years. Almost 2 years were spent in Kodiak, Alaska, along with 2 years in Holy Loch, Argyll, Scotland. During her life, Hazel was very active in the Girl Scouts, DAR, DUV, and veteran and volunteer work for the Navy Family Service Center at Great Lakes Navy Base, Great Lakes, IL.

Hazel loved traveling, visiting museums and historical sites, square dancing, antiquing, gardening, sewing, baking, shopping, and talking on the phone. She was a selfless person who took care of others.

She left Iowa at age 18; however, wherever she was, she always remained an Iowan at heart. Returning to Iowa to visit family and friends always brought her joy. Eating a Maid-Rite sandwich in Muscatine or Wapello was a must.

Due to the coronavirus, a graveside service will be held at Burlington Memorial Park, Burlington, IA, sometime in June 2021. Hazel will be interred near her parents and sister, Dorothy M. (Brown) Pierson.

Memorials may be sent to the United Methodist Church in Kingston, IA