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Photo of Hazel D. Hill

Hazel D. Hill

3/4/1921 - 9/25/2009


Obituary


Shortly after 1 p.m., on Friday (September 25, 2009) Hazel Dorothea Hill, 88, of Mason City exchanged the bounds of this earth for the arms of her loving Savior.

Funeral services for Hazel Hill will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009 at First Church of the Nazarene, 507 Carolina Ave. S., Mason City, Iowa with Rev. Curtis DeLong officiating and assisted by Rev. Clint Hill. Interment will be at the family plot in Memorial Park Cemetery, rural Mason City, immediately following the service.

Visitation for Hazel Hill will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 28, 2009 at First Church of the Nazarene, and will continue one hour prior to the funeral service at the church. 

Hazel, the daughter of Richard Earl and Ruth Cylina (Greenfield) Powell, was born March 4, 1921 in Irvington, Iowa. She joined a brother, Dorance William, and was followed by a sister, Theresa Opal, and a brother, LeRoy Charles. Her father was terribly burned in a farming incident, and as a direct result the immediate family was divided among members of the extended family. Hazel spent a good share of her childhood in the home of her maternal aunt, William and Effie Runchey, who farmed near Algona, Iowa. Her cousin, Mary (Runchey) Smith is more like a sister than a cousin. Her residence with the Runcheys’ allowed the local country school to remain open.

Hazel was united in marriage with Lester Paul Hill on March 11, 1942, in Bethany, Missouri. The couple was blessed with nine children. The family made their home in Mason City.

Hazel was well known for her embroidery and crochet projects. Not only did she share many of these items with family and friends, she looked forward each year to the North Iowa Fair where she took many first and second place ribbons. One of her greatest moments was teaching her great-granddaughter to embroidery.

Hazel’s greatest disappointment was that she could not obtain a college education. Her desire was to be a teacher. Nevertheless, to the day of her death, she taught by example the dignity and rich experience of the Christian faith.

Hazel is survived by three sons, David Eugene (Diane) Hill of Chaska, Minnesota; Earl Wesley (Marlys) Hill of Britt, Iowa; and Richard LeRoy Hill of Mason City, Iowa; and two daughters, Hazel Dorothea Hill of Bloomington, Minnesota; and Mary Beth Hill (special friend, David Jones, St. Paul, MN) of Richfield, Minnesota; five grandchildren, Michelle M. Hill of Little Rock, Arkansas; Justin P. (Tammy) Hill of Honolulu, Hawaii; Clint M. (Naomi) Hill of Golden, Colorado; Donna (Joneal) Hill Blasig of Minneapolis, Minnesota; and DeEtta (Xavier) Hill Darras of St. Paul, Minnesota; seven great-grandchildren, Angel J. Hill, Aspen P. Hill and Alex C. Hill of Honolulu, Hawaii; Oscar T. Hill and Ariana J. Hill of Golden, Colorado; Charlotte Darras of St. Paul, Minnesota; and Jennavive Blasig of Minneapolis, Minnesota; along with many other extended family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Lester P. Hill (April 25, 1983), four children, Margaret and Martha Hill, Ronald Robert Hill and Ruth Jane Hill, two brothers, Dorance Powell, LeRoy Powell, and one sister, Theresa Lillebo.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions be made to The Gideon International.