Hazel Marie Clark, good and faithful servant

Philippians 1:20-21 says "To live is Christ, to die is gain". Those of us who knew Hazel saw her live out this scripture throughout her 100 years on this planet. Born Hazel Marie Olin to Caleb and Blanche (Leeper) Olin in Millville, MN on January 26, 1920, she grew up into her lifelong faith in Christ by watching her parents live for and love God and others.  Hazel was the youngest of 8 siblings. She invited Jesus into her heart and made Him the Lord of her life at a very young age. Everything she did throughout her life was prayerfully done with the glory of God her first consideration.

Hazel married Kenneth Clark on February 28, 1943. Ken and Hazel raised their family on farms near Bellingham and Madison MN where Kenneth sold Fuller Brush and Hazel cooked at the hospital. The family moved to Alexandria, MN in 1965 where they purchased a rooming house and invited many young people into their home. Ken and Hazel were stand-in parents and a positive influence to many people who lived at 620 over the years. The many who call Hazel "Ma" were given the love of a mother. Throughout her life Hazel showed her love for God and love for people. Together with Ken, she raised 4 children: Elaine, Myron, Marilyn and Alan. She was foster mother to more than 12 kids who needed a home. (She always liked boys better) Hazel's grandchildren (Sherri, Jill, Lynnelle, ReNae, Shelli, Ron) were blessed to be loved well by Grammy. Hazel was a GREAT grandma in so many ways! Not many kids get to know their great grandmothers but Megan, Jeni, Bill, Ty, Austin, Keeley, Caenan, Dominic, Raif, Madalyn, Ryder, Gunnar, Piper, Kolin and Lola all were blessed to experience the Godly way Grammy lived her life.

At 80 years old Hazel volunteered as a foster grandma at Voyager Elementary School in Alexandria reading to, helping, and loving on children who needed a soft touch and a loving smile while at school. Hazel was a committed member of First Baptist Church in Alexandria for many years. She touched so many lives by joining committees, teaching bible studies and Sunday school, and most memorably – making "Grandma buns" for so many showers, weddings, holidays, etc. One never knew who would be at Hazel's dining table. What we did know is that Hazel never let anyone go away hungry!  There are so many examples in Hazel's life that show she TRULY loved the Lord with all her heart, soul, strength, and mind.  As we have seen Hazel live her life for Christ, she received her heavenly reward on November 24, 2020. Hazel passed away peacefully in her sleep with family by her side. In 2008 Hazel moved from Alexandria to Hampton, VA to live with Marilyn where Marilyn and Renae faithfully cared for "Mother" in her last years.

Today Hazel is seated in heaven at the feet of her Lord. She is reunited with those who preceded her in death: husband Kenneth, daughter Elaine, two boys who died in infancy, 7 siblings and many other loved ones. What a wonderful reward for a life well lived. Years ago, Hazel planned her own funeral service. She so badly wanted to finish her story in the church where so much of her life was centered, with family and friends consoling each other. But in 2020 nothing is as we imagined. There will be a celebration of life service in June of 2021 in Alexandria, MN with a burial near Madison, MN. In lieu of flowers…To honor Hazels love for people, please donate a meal to a family in need this holiday season.