Hazel Jeannette (Hanson) Moe was born September 26, 1904, in Swede Prairie Township, Yellow Medicine County, MN, to Hans S. and Marie (Ness) Hanson. She was baptized October 30, 1904, at St. Lucas Lutheran Church of rural Cottonwood and confirmed in her faith at St. Lucas Lutheran Church on July 27, 1919, by the late Rev. Martin Romstad.
In September 1920, the family moved to Dawson, MN, where Hazel attended high school, graduating in 1925. She worked in a grocery store for a time and in 1928, began employment by Central West Public Service Co., where she worked as a telephone operator, did clerical work, and was an agent for them. In 1940, she resigned to go to cosmotology college and in 1944, she purchased her shop in Dawson and operated Hazel's Beauty Shop until July 29, 1972.
On September 29, 1945, she was married to Louis Moe. After his death on March 19, 1966, she continued operating her shop and was active in her church and in helping family members. For many years she was a caregiver for her brother, Randall Hanson, and later, her sister, Hannah Marie Olson. She managed all her own household and business affairs up to her last days. Over the years she kept in touch and cared about dozens of friends and relatives. During this last Christmas season, she sent out almost a hundred greetings and pictures of herself. She was a remarkable person with a firm faith and strong sense of duty.
Hazel died on Wednesday, April 8, 1998, after having just moved from the Johnson Memorial Hospital in Dawson into Luther Haven Nursing Home in Montevideo, MN, at the age of 93 years, 6 months, and 12 days.
She is survived by her stepdaughters: Audrey Froiland and her husband, H.B., of Dawson, and Irene Johnson of Mankato, MN; stepson, Col. Wayne J. Moe and wife, Jean, of Waynesboro, VA; 10 step grandchildren, including Godchild, Rachel Quenemoen, 15 great grandchildren, and 6 great-great grandchildren; sister-in-law, Rosamond Hanson of Round Rock, TX; 8 nieces and 4 nephews, including special nieces, Charlotte Hoff, Bertha Hanson, Una Marie Lamb, and Godchild, Marlys Hennen; many grand nieces and grand nephews, and many long time friends.
Preceding her in death were her parents, Hans and Marie Hanson; husband, Louis Moe; brothers: Orville, Henry, Manford, Randall, and Clifford Hanson; sisters: Bertha Hanson and Hannah Marie Olson; step-son-in-law, Carl Johnson; and granddaughter, Linda Moe.