HOOVER, Hazel

Coon Rapids Enterprise Coon Rapids, Carroll County, Iowa May, 2010 May 18, 2010 - Funeral services for Hazel (WALSTON) HOOVER of Fountain Hills, AZ, formerly of Coon Rapids, were held Wednesday, May 26 at the Ritchie Funeral Home in Bedford. Interment will be in the Redding Cemetery in Redding, Iowa. Hazel (WALSTON) HOOVER was born July 25, 1910 in Athelstan, MO. She was the first of nine children born to Thomas W. and Cora M. WALSTON. This family has remained close throughout Hazel's life and to this day has an annual picnic and family gathering. Her parents were basically farmers, however, her father did serve as janitor and grounds keeper in several small schools in southwest Iowa. Being the oldest, Hazel spent much of her early years helping her mother with the younger siblings. Hazel completed her high school in Delphos, Iowa. She excelled as a student and despite her diminutive size was active in sports. Laura MILLER introduced Hazel to Ralph H. HOOVER on a blind date. After a few years of courtship, on October 27, 1935 Ralph and Hazel were married in a very simple ceremony conducted by the Justice of Peace in Mount Ayr at a total cost of $2.00. This marriage lasted 71 years until the passing of Ralph in January of 2007. Hazel always wanted a wedding ceremony complete with a white gown for her and a tux for Ralph. Her dream came true in 2004 with a recommitment of their vows, with many in attendance and a beautiful white wedding gown. Ralph and Hazel had one child, Gary, on December 7, 1938. During the early years of their time together they lived on and farmed the small family farm in Blockton in shares with Ralph’s father, Charles HOOVER. These were hard times given the economic condition in the U.S. and having to split the meager profits from a small farm, so Ralph looked for other opportunities. They moved to Coon Rapids in 1945 where Ralph managed a filling station. Eventually Ralph found his calling as a car salesman at the Chevrolet garage where he worked for 30 years. Hazel was active in church related womens organizations and in order to finance college for Gary she went to work as a Secretary and assistant to Dr. JOHNSON in Coon Rapids where she worked for 6 years. In 1998 Ralph and Hazel moved to Arizona in order to escape the pollen that severely irritated Hazel's allergies and to be closer to their son, Gary, who is retired there. Since 2006 Hazel has been under the loving care of Marsha BRIZZIE at Marsha's home in Fountain Hills, AZ. Because of her enduring Christian faith and loving demeanor Hazel was described by her granddaughter, Michelle, as being "the strongest lady I know." Her approach to most problems was to "hug them a little harder and things will be fine because God wants them that way." Hazel died last Tuesday, May 18 the age of 99, just two months shy of her 100th birthday. Hazel was preceded in death by her parents, Tom and Cora WALSTON; brothers Donald, Vane, Gerald & Verle WALSTON, her sister Nina RICE; and her husband Ralph. She is survived by her sister Elsie PRESTON (Lenox, IA) and two brothers, Elvin WALSTON (Kansas City, MO) and Marvin WALTSON (Waverly, IA), son, Gary HOOVER and wife Donna (Scottsdale, AZ), granddaughter, Michelle FOGLE (Gretna, NE) and grandson, Eric HOOVER (Omaha, NE); step-grandchildren, Debbie SEDLAK (Scottsdale, AZ) and David BERKA (Ft. Collins, CO); great-grandchildren, Claire, Cooper & Abby FOGLE, Brandi & Tommy SEDLAK, Isaac & Jacob BERKA. The family asks that memorials be addressed to the Fountain Hills Presbyterian Church, 13001 Fountain Hills Blvd., Fountain Hills, AZ 85268.