Hazel M. (Milbrath) Amundson died Dec. 16, 2017, at Aase Haugen Senior Services in Decorah, Iowa, at the age of 100.
Funeral Services were held Dec. 23, 2017, at First Lutheran Church in Decorah, with Rev. Chad Huebner officiating. Burial was in Lutheran Cemetery in Decorah.
Hazel Mildred Amundson was born Nov. 22, 1917, at the farm home east of Cresco, Iowa, the daughter of Herbert and Mabel (Gunderson) Milbrath. She attended rural schools in Howard and Winneshiek Counties and graduated from Cresco High School in the class of 1935. Hazel continued her education at Luther College, majoring in Elementary Education. During her time at Luther, she enjoyed reading plays on the KWLC radio station. Hazel also worked as a waitress at the Cozy Tea Room where she met and dated Alan Amundson, who was selling cars next door at Monson Motors. She graduated in 1937 from Luther College with an associate degree and began her teaching career in rural one-room schools near Cresco. Hazel and Alan were married on June 27, 1939, in Cresco at First Lutheran Church. They were blessed with three children: Dori, Richard and Marilyn, all of whom attended Decorah East Side School, Decorah High School and Luther College.
Hazel worked at Luther College in the 1960’s and 1970’s as secretary to the Dean of Students and worked many years as an associate in the Amundson Men’s Clothing Business. Hazel and Alan enjoyed many trips in the summer to Door County, Wis., and the North Shore in Minn., during the fall. They also enjoyed road trips to Fla., Ariz., and Colo.
Hazel and Alan were avid fans of their children and grandchildren’s many church and school activities. They also entertained the extended family each Christmas Day and many Nordic Fest weekends.
Hazel was a faithful and very active member of First Lutheran Church. She taught Sunday School and was involved with LDR, WELCA and the Nordic Fest Smorgasbord. She was a member of the Luther College Woman’s Club, volunteered at the Winneshiek County Memorial Hospital and belonged to the Winneshiek County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. She also belonged to the Legion Auxiliary. Reading, embroidery, needlepoint, crocheting and knitting were some of her hobbies. She made beautiful afghans for each of her eight grandchildren. Hazel also enjoyed her sewing club, card clubs, neighborhood coffee parties and her many flower gardens.
Hazel is survived by her three children: Dori (Amundson) Ritland ’62 (Michael Ritland ‘60) of Eau Claire, Wis., Richard Amundson ’64 (Barbara (Moen) Amundson ‘65) of Decorah, and Marilyn (Amundson) Sears ‘67 (William) of Rochester, Minn.; eight grandchildren: Kristin (Ritland) Pressler ’88 (Brian), Katie (William) Clouse, Kari (Amundson) Schmidt ’92 (Robert), Brian Amundson ’95 (Maura), Erika (David) Panichelli, Angela (Sears) Spohn ’93 (Albert), Craig Sears ’96 (Amy (Morse) Sears ‘95), and Jim Sears; sixteen great-grandchildren: Britta Pressler ‘19, Bjorn Pressler, Annika Clouse, Dane Clouse, Sydney Schmidt, Cole Schmidt, Maeve Amundson, Nolan Amundson, Jack Panichelli, William Panichelli, Ava Spohn, Abigail Spohn, Andrew Spohn, Payton Sears, Torrey Sears, and Sophia Sears; her sister-in-law Jeanette Milbrath; and many nieces and nephews.
Hazel was preceded in death by her parents; husband Alan on Nov. 24, 2001, two brothers Lester and George Milbrath; three sisters, Geneva Vaghts, Audrey Ott and Ethel Moen; brothers-in law Sam Moen, Gareth Vagts and Melvin Ott; and great-granddaugher Kjerstie Pressler.
Memorials may be made in Hazel’s name to the Weston Nobel Music Fund at First Lutheran Church, 604 W. Broadway St., Decorah, IA 52101 or Luther College, c/o Development Office, 700 College Drive, Decorah, IA 52101.