Hazel Jean (Nelson) Vegdahl

Hazel Jean (Nelson) Vegdahl, 98, of Spicer, died Friday, April 28th at CentraCare Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar.  Her funeral will be 11:00 am, Tuesday, May 2nd at Zion Irving Lutheran Church, rural Paynesville with interment in the church cemetery.  Visitation will be on Monday, May 1st from 5-7:00 pm at Johnson Funeral Home in New London and continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday.  www.hafh.org

Hazel was born August 9, 1924, in Hammond, Indiana the daughter of Edward and Etta (Knott) Nelson.  She attended school in Hegewisch, Illinois and graduated from Bowen High school in 1942. Hazel was baptized and confirmed at Lebanon Lutheran Church in Hegewisch, Illinois. She was 19 years old when her family moved to Willmar, Minnesota.    

On June 2, 1946, she was united in marriage to Arthur J Vegdahl at Zion Irving Lutheran Church.  This marriage was blessed with four children. She lived on the Vegdahl family farm from the time they were married until her death.  This attained the milestone of the Vegdahl Century Farm.   

Since her marriage, she has faithfully served Zion Lutheran Church through Ladies Aid, church council, choir, was instrumental in continuing the church's traditions through food, fellowship and many other important projects.  She enjoyed her time with Peace Lutheran Christian Women’s Quilters helping with quilts for missions.  She used her gift of creativity to bless many individuals near and far with her aprons, angels, bags, dolls, doll clothes, night gowns, quilts, tie purses, apron towels, and friendship. Over the last three years, she sewed over 300 aprons.

Hazel loved to participate in clubs such as; Home Extension, Doll Club, Red Hat Society, Lutheran Brotherhood, Birthday Club, Couples Anniversary Club, and Clever Clover 4-H Club.

Her family remembers her vibrance of life, love of church, family, and compassion for others. She had a unique ability to make friends wherever she went. Hazel never wanted to miss out on anything especially when family was involved. She enjoyed meals, tea parties, sleepovers, and playing cards.  She loved being with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren.

Surviving are her children and their spouses:  Bereth (Jerry) Larson of Spicer, Bonnie (Dan) Elsey of New Hope, Edward (Ruth) Vegdahl of Spicer and Candis (Rich) Kvamme of Brooklyn Park;  nine grandchildren: Ann Marie (Todd) Lotridge, Paul (Angela) Larson, Kristen (Chad) Woelfel, Kimberly (Marcelo) Aguayo, Sarah (Sam) Wellumson, Kari (Earl) Kennedy, Matthew (Lauren) Vegdahl, Lisa (David) Guptill, Nicole (Mark Williams) Kvamme, 26 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur, parents, and brother, William.

God Bless the Memory of Hazel Vegdahl

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