Hazel Margaret Dockwell Lester, 87, of Ft. Collins, Colorado, passed away
peacefully at home on Friday, September 21, 2012 with her family at her side.
A private viewing is scheduled for the family. The funeral service will be held
on Saturday, September 29, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. at Ewing Funeral Home, 602 North
Main St., in Clarion, Iowa with Pastor Don Morrison officiating. Interment will
follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Clarion as she is laid to rest next to her late
husband.
Born July 10, 1925 in Freeborn County, Minnesota, she was the daughter of the
late George and Marie Dockwell. As a toddler she moved with her family to the
Coulter, Iowa area and spent her youth on the family farm. After high school
graduation from Rowan High School, she married Kenny Lester in 1943 and became a
homemaker and devoted mother. She and her husband farmed for several years;
later she became a store manager for the former Gibson and Pamida companies
working for them for many years. Hazel and her family lived in the Clarion and
Belmond, Iowa area. She moved to Colorado in 2004 to be near three of her
children and their families. Her life revolved around her children and family,
their activities, and the love she had for each of them. Hazel played high
school basketball and developed a lifelong love of sports whether she was
watching her children or grandchildren or watching a Rockies or Broncos game.
She loved being around friends and family, playing cards, listening to country
music, flower gardening, baking, eating out, and putting puzzles together. She
spent a number of years researching and cataloging the genealogy of four
branches of her family. The histories she gathered and the books she compiled
are a welcome source of family information. She also enjoyed the people and
the activities at her senior living complex in Ft. Collins. A lady of grace and
quiet resolve, Mom will be greatly missed by her family.
Surviving Hazel are her children: Linda (David) Bruening of North Carolina, Gary
Lester of Colorado, Renae (Michael) Duffey of Arizona, Debra Tarvin of
Colorado, and Kent (Sandy) Lester of Colorado; grandchildren: Todd (Amy) Lester
Sheller of California, Jason (Kristy) Pavelka of Iowa, Nathan Pavelka of
California, Tracy Flannigan of Arizona, Kelly (Branch) Norris of Colorado, Eric
Tarvin, Ashly Lester, Carly Lester of Colorado; and nine great-grandchildren.
She is also survived by her brothers: Lyle (Joan) Dockwell of Coulter, IA,
George (Dona) Dockwell of Belmond, IA; sisters: Myrtle Gunderson of Belmond,
IA, Gladys Andershok of Ft. Collins, CO; sisters and brother-in-law: Beverly
(Eldred) Schutt of Clarion, IA, Pauline Lester of Ventura, IA; and a number of
nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth F. Lester; her daughter, Dixie
Pavelka; son-in-law, Mark Tarvin; brother, Raymond Dockwell; sisters: Velma
Thompson and Kelly Jensen; brothers-in-law: Merle Gunderson, Clell Thompson,
Russell Jensen, Andy Andershok, Glenn and Andy Lester; sisters-in-law: Mary Lou
Dockwell, Bertha Dockwell, Inez Dockwell; and friend Harry Hinkley.
The family wishes to thank Michelle, Kelsie and Mary, her hospice caregivers and
all those who lent their support and prayers. Memorial donations may be made to
Pathways Hospice Center, 305 Carpenter Road, Ft. Collins, CO 80525, to your
local hospice organization or to your local Relay for Life cancer organization.
Bohlender Funeral Chapel of Ft. Collins, Colorado and Ewing Funeral Home of
Clarion, Iowa, are assisting the family. Online condolences may be sent to
www.bohlenderfuneralchapel.com or ewing.upfor.review.