Hazel Petersen

Hazel O. Petersen, age 93, of Blooming Prairie, Minnesota, passed away Friday, April 12, 2024, at Whispering Oak Place in Ellendale, Minnesota. Hazel Cleaver was born on October 21, 1930, in Morris, Illinois, to William “Mac” and Ruby (Vaughn) Cleaver. She graduated from Morris High School in 1948. On June 5, 1948, Hazel was united in marriage to Paul Petersen at Morris Methodist Church in Morris, Illinois. The couple was blessed with two daughters, Lola and Caroline. Paul and Hazel moved to Thomson, Illinois, where they operated a Grade A dairy farm until 1973. The couple came to Minnesota to attend a world plowing match and while in Minnesota ended up buying a farm and moving to Blooming Prairie, where they farmed until retiring in 1991. They enjoyed their travels, including their winters in Arizona since 1978, their trip to Denmark, and their RV trips across the entire United States, including New York City. Hazel and Paul enjoyed camping, and they became the “official campground greeters,” willing to visit with anyone, anytime. They were camp hosts in Fairbanks, Alaska, on three different occasions. Hazel also enjoyed crocheting and she was known for the beautiful baby blankets she made. In her downtime, Hazel could also be found spending time on her iPad and doing jigsaw puzzles. 

Hazel is survived by her daughters, Lola (Bill) Manning of Thomson, Illinois, and Caroline (Steven) Houzenga of Blooming Prairie; six grandchildren, Christa (Dave) Curley of Fulton, Illinois, Bryce (Jessica) Manning of Marion, Iowa, Dustin Manning of Moline, Illinois, Alan (Wendy) Manning of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Donise (Darin) Thostenson of Blooming Prairie, and Chontel (Tom) Thompson of Omaha, Nebraska; 16 great-grandchildren; and one sister, Luella Pelhke of Joliet, Illinois. She was preceded in death by her parents, Mac and Ruby; husband, Paul; brothers, Dean and Keal Cleaver; and sister, Frances Louise Kuhajda. 

The visitation for Hazel will be held from 2:00-4:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at Worlein-Hoff Funeral Home in Blooming Prairie. A private family service will be held. In honoring Hazel’s wishes she will be cremated following her services and along with her husband, Paul, laid to rest at Evergreen Cemetery, in Morris, Illinois, at a later date. Memorials are welcome to Moments Hospice Foundation in Golden Valley, Minnesota.