Hazel Margaret Lester

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.