Hazel Williams, 23 Aug 1917 - 09 Oct 2012

WILLIAMS, CREPS, DAVIDSON, MCCONNELL, BOATMAN, SLEEUWENHOEK, DURSKY, SIMMONS, VASTINE, BRUNS

Posted By: Sandy Ficken (email)
Date: 10/23/2012 at 15:43:30

Hazel Williams, 95, of Hartwick, left her earthly life to join her savior on Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2012, at Grinnell Regional Medical Center. A funeral service will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, at Victor Baptist Church in Victor, with the Rev. Daniel Andrews officiating. Vocalists will be Kenny and Shelly Folkman and Bill McConnell; organist Carol Albia. Casket bearers will be Lynn Sleeuwenhoek, Bill McConnell, Mark Dursky, Joe Simmons, Chris Vastine, Jeremy Bruns, Derek Sleeuwenhoek, and Peyton Simmoms. Honorary bearers will be Brittany Sleeuwenhoek, Paige Simmons, Lauren and Anna Jo Dursky, Allison and Thomas Vastine, Sophia and Sawyer Bruns, and Alyssa and David McConnell. Visitation will be from 2 until 6 p.m. Friday at the church, with the family present from 4 to 6 p.m. Interment will be at Hartwick Cemetery following a luncheon.

Hazel was born Aug. 23, 1917, to Cecil and Helen Davidson Creps in Brooklyn, Iowa. She was raised in rural Brooklyn and graduated from Brooklyn High School with the class of 1935. She married George Williams on Sept. 1, 1937, in Malcom. The couple farmed with her father before moving to Hartwick in 1938. Hazel taught school for two years and worked as a switchboard operator for the Hartwick Telephone Co. She and George worked for the Hartwick school district as a cook and janitor for 25 years.

Hazel was active in the Hartwick Fire Department Auxiliary for many years and participated in various community activities. She enjoyed quilting with her sister Clovis and spent many hours of lively card playing with her family and friends. Hazel shared her love of quilting, flowers, cooking and baking with others. On weekday mornings Hazel could be found at the Hartwick store with her family and friends drinking coffee. Her family was very important to her and she enjoyed family gatherings and vacations. She was an avid lifetime fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Hazel was a member of the Hartwick Congregational Church, where she was active in women’s fellowship. She later attended the Victor Baptist Church after the closing of Hartwick Congregational Church.

Survivors include her daughter, Joan (George) McConnell of Hartwick; daughter-in-law, Josephine Williams of Moline, Ill.; sisters-in-law, Irma Boatman of Texas and Beverly Creps of Brooklyn; grandson, Bill (Pam) McConnell of Jersey, Va.; granddaughters, Kim (Lynn) Sleeuwenhoek of Hartwick, Karen (Mark) Dursky of Victor, Marcia (Joe) Simmons of Victor, Wendy (Chris) Vastine of Hoeilaart, Belgium, and Nicole (Jeremy) Bruns of Galesburg, Ill.; 12 great-grandchildren, Derek and Brittany Sleeuwenhoek, Lauren and Anna Dursky, Alyssa and David McConnell, Paige and Peyton Simmons, Allison and Thomas Vastine, Sophia and Sawyer Bruns; two great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, and close friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 41 years, George; one son, Ron Williams; sister, Clovis Smith; brother, Francis Creps; and her beloved dog, Fifi.

Memorials may be directed to the Ron Williams Scholarship Fund or the Hazel Williams Memorial Fund.

Published Oct. 12, 2012, 8A, in The Gazette
The Warrior Tribune, 17 Oct 2012, pg 4