Cover photo for Hazel Anderson's Obituary
Hazel Anderson Profile Photo
1923 Hazel 2009

Hazel Anderson

March 20, 1923 — September 4, 2009

Hazel Anderson (Mrs. Elroy),86, of HOffman, died Friday, September 4, 2009, at the Douglas County Hospital in Alexandria. Visitation: 4-7 pm Sunday, at the Messiah Lutheran Church in Hoffman; prayer service at 7. Service: 10:30 am Monday, September 7, Messiah Lutheran Church, Hoffman Burial: Bethel Lutheran Cemetery, Hoffman. Hazel Irene was born on March 20, 1923, on a farm near Kensington, Minnesota, to Herman and Lydia (Nelson) Hedin. She was baptized and confirmed in the Bethel Lutheran Church of Hoffman. The family moved to Hoffman where Hazel started first grade. Hazel did not speak English but spoke Swedish when she started school. She graduated from Hoffman High School. She started working as a clerk in Ted Larson's grocery and drygoods store in Hoffman. When the Larsons opened a store in Paynesville, Hazel moved and worked for them.

Hazel was united in marriage to Elroy Anderson at Bethel Lutheran Church, Hoffman, on October 14, 1945, a Sunday evening. They lived in Denver CO, where Elroy was stationed during World War II. During that time, Hazel worked as a maid and nanny for General Quaid at the Fitzsimmons Medical Center. After the war, the couple returned to the area. They lived on a farm by the Chippewa River east of Hoffman where they raised their three daughters, Beverly, Barbara, and Carol. Hazel returned to clerking at Mattson's Grocery Store in addition to being a homemaker. Learning was very important to Hazel, and she was very proud that all three of their daughters became teachers.In 1976 they built a home in town, which has been thier family home to-date.

As a Hoffman community member for eighty years, Hazel was very active in the American Legion Auxiliary and in her church. When her daughters were young she was a leader in 4-H and Girl Scouts. Hazel and Elroy were volunteer drivers for Alpha Transit for many years. She thoroughly enjoyed homemaking, gardening, quilting, and embroidery (many of the dishtowels were used as gifts). An avid sports fan, Hazel attended basketball games since 1938. She continued to enjoy attending her grandchildren's sporting events and activities.

Hazel and Elroy traveled to every state except Hawaii. Because her Swedish heritage and genealogy were so important to Hazel, they also traveled to Sweden twice.

Hazel is survived by her husband Elroy of Hoffman; daughters Beverly Anderson of Maple Grove, Barbara (Chuck) Taffe of Hastings, and Carol (Paul) of Hoffman; grandchildchilren Jeff (Jenni) of Phoenix AZ, Jami Taffe of St. Paul, Katie and Brent Anderson of Hoffman; brother Harris Hedin of Willmar; brothers/sisters-in-law Rodger (Dora) Anderson of Hoffman, Ann (Jerry) Anderson of Osseo, and Mavis (Roger) Peterson of Brooklyn Park; and many loving neices, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents Herman and Lydia Hedin; a sister, Luverne (Hedin) Hedstrom; brother-in-law Robert Hedstrom; sister-in-law Bernice Hedin; mother and father-in-law Henry and Esther Anderson; and nieces Mary Hedin and Marne Anderson.

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