Hazel Beardslee

A woman of many talents, Hazel Beardslee never hesitated in sharing them or her heart with those around her. Hazel was a woman of faith who set a fine example for her children to live by. She loved serving others, and considered her family to be her greatest joy. A loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Hazel will be long remembered and missed in the hearts of those she leaves behind.

Hazel's story began at a significant time in our nation’s history. The end of World War I brought welcome relief, yet cause for great concern, however, was the Spanish flu which reached epidemic proportions. For Herman and Agot (Larvick) Ealy of rural Minneapolis, Minnesota, it was an especially joyful time when on November 3, 1918 they were blessed with the birth of their little girl, Hazel Alice.

Having enjoyed a typical childhood for the times, Hazel attended the area schools. She grew up alongside her siblings, Elvera, Leonard and Jean. When Hazel was 12 years old, her sister found some kittens and wanted her help to warm them. Hazel put the furry bundle in a basket, and placed it on their wood stove. Needless to say, the basket caught fire, and their home sadly burned down.

The onset of the Great Depression cast a shadow of hardship from coast to coast. During this time, Hazel and her family moved to Flint, Michigan when her father took a job in the auto industry. While in high school, Hazel met the young man who would become her forever love and helpmate, Earl Beardslee. Although she didn't know Earl through school, she met him at a local party while attending it with another boy. Before long, she and Earl struck up a friendship which in time came to include love.

After graduating from Flint Central High School, Hazel went on to attend beauty school and became licensed beautician. After dating for a time, she and Earl were happily blessed in marriage on January 14, 1939 at her pastor's parsonage. They celebrated their union with a reception at the home of her parents. Throughout her life, Hazel considered her wedding day to be the happiest of her life. A match made in heaven, she and Earl began their new lives together on a firm foundation of faith, respect, and love. Even into their later years, they loved being together.

In time, the young couple began a family of their own. They were blessed with three children, Shirley, Susan, and Richard who made their lives complete. Attentive and loving, Hazel enjoyed the role of homemaker while working as a beautician for nearly seven years. Multitalented, she balanced her work, running her household and looking after the children all while expounding on her knack for painting, sewing, knitting, and her handiwork with leather, for which she was extremely talented. Hazel loved to sew and her children recall fond memories of her sitting in her chair sewing.

Hazel loved spending time in her kitchen cooking all of her family's favorites. They particularly loved coming home to the aroma of her fresh, homemade bread as well as her delicious vegetable soup. Hazel especially enjoyed going out for fish and chips on Friday nights. When her children grew older, Hazel took a job around 1965 with the Westwood Heights Schools in Flint and the Ovid-Elsie Public Schools as the cafeteria director which suited her well.

A hard working woman, Hazel also shared her many talents with the United Methodist Women and the Flint Leather Guild. For over 25 years, she served as a bible school teacher and as a leader for 4-H. Hazel's faith was very important to her. She and Earl were faithful, longtime members of the Middlebury United Methodist Church in Ovid where they were quite involved and loved serving others, together.

With a thirst for learning, Hazel always wanted and enjoyed fulfilling this desire. When Mott Community College began adult enrichment classes, she took the opportunity to be involved in all the classes she could. Hazel and Earl loved traveling all over the U.S., but her favorite place to visit was her old family homestead in Minnesota.

Hazel Beardslee's most cherished possession was found in the love of family. She loved family get-togethers where memorable times were shared. She lived by example, and taught her children well. Gone but never to be forgotten, the heart of Hazel lives on in those who knew and loved her.

Hazel Alice Beardslee, of Ovid, Michigan died Tuesday, April 29, 2014 at the age of 95. Hazel was preceded in death by her husband, Earl in 2011, along with her parents and siblings, Elvera Suber, Leonard Ealy, and Jean Perry. Surviving are her children, Shirley (Ken) Hodgson of Flint, Susan (Charles) Wagner of Dayton, Ohio, and Richard (Sheree) Beardslee of Vicksburg; six grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services for Hazel will be held at 10:00 AM Monday, May 5, 2014 at the Houghton Chapel of the Osgood Funeral Home, 232 E. Oak St., Ovid with Pastor Don Wentz officiating. Burial at 3:00 PM at Flint Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 2-4 and 6-8 PM Sunday, May 4, 2014 at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Middlebury United Methodist Church Building Fund, 8100 W Hibbard Rd., Ovid, MI 48866.