Hazel Molis

Hazel Molis, 98, Birch Creek Twp., entered eternal rest peacefully on Tuesday, August 16, 2016 in Augustana Mercy Health Care Center, Moose Lake, with her family by her side. She was born on October 13, 1917 to Arvid and Amanda Nelson in Birch Creek Twp. Hazel was baptized and confirmed in the Swede Park Lutheran Church in Denham. She attended Maple Grove School and graduated from Willow River High School in 1936. Hazel received her teaching certificate from the Hinckley Teacher and Training Department and began teaching in one room school houses in Pine County. She later obtained her Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from UMD. Hazel took some time off from teaching to care for her family, returning to teaching in 1957 where she taught for 8 years at C School in Windemere Twp. In 1965, she began teaching 5th grade at Willow River retiring in 1979. Hazel was a member of Faith Lutheran Church where she taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, was a soloist in the church choir, and was involved with the Faith WELCA. On June 8, 1940, Hazel married Ralph Molis. This was the first wedding in the newly built Faith Lutheran Church and was a marriage that was enjoyed for over 62 years until Ralph's death in September of 2002. Hazel and Ralph enjoyed traveling, camping, fishing, and spending time with their family. She loved Jesus Christ, her family, and friends. Hazel also loved singing, teaching, art, classical music, writing, nature, reading, poetry, flowers, quilting, needlework, and dandelions!

Hazel is preceded in death by her husband, Ralph in 2002; son: Gary in 1999; brothers and sisters-in-law: Oliver & Dorothy Nelson and Floyd & Lois Nelson; sisters and brothers-in-law: Amy & Lester DeGroot, Jeanne & Warren Martinson, Jeannette & Robert Peterson, Mae & Albert Fransen, Dorothy & Edward Swarmer, and Lillian & Arnold Peterson; and sister-in-law: Vicki Molis.

Hazel will be lovingly remembered by her daughters: Beverly (Stanley) Peterson of Willow River and Joy (Gerald) Novak of Willow River; daughter-in-law: Judy Molis of Moose Lake; brother: Roger (Helen) Nelson of Moose Lake; brother-in-law: Carl Molis of Utah; grandchildren: Mike (Shelly) Peterson, Dan (Faith) Peterson; Connie (Mike) Mikrot, Matt (Crystal) Peterson, Betsy Novak, Katy Collier, Lance (Nikki) Molis, Amanda (Andy) Carlson, and Amy Molis; 21 great grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.

Visitation will be from 10 am until the 11 am service on Friday, August 19, 2016 in Faith Lutheran Church, Sturgeon Lake. Burial will be in Faith Lutheran Cemetery, Birch Creek Twp.

Arrangements by Hamlin-Hansen-Kosloski Funeral Home, Moose Lake.