Hazel Sundberg

Services for Hazel Sundberg, 81, of Groton will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, December 16th at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Groton. Pastor Elizabeth Johnson will officiate. Burial will follow in Groton Union Cemetery under the direction of Paetznick-Garness Funeral Chapel, Groton.

Visitation will be held Tuesday at the chapel with family present from 4-8 p.m. and a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. There will also be visitation for one hour prior to services on Wednesday.

Hazel passed away December 12, 2009 at Avera St. Lukes Hospital, Aberdeen.

A strong, generous, loving woman was born June 16, 1928 in rural Marshall County to Herman & Sentha Reyelts. Her name was Hazel Jean Reyelts. By any measure, Hazel had a full and fulfilling life. Her many family members and friends can attest to Hazel's love and zest for life.

Hazel attended school in Britton and continued her education at Northern State Teacher's College. She was an outstanding teacher who positively influenced the lives of countless students in Clark, Britton, Groton, and even Los Angeles. She loved to teach and develop the curiosity and abilities of 1st, 2nd and 3rd graders. One of her 1st grade students later became her orthopedic surgeon for her knee replacement surgery. She was fortunate enough to meet many of her students later in their lives and continue their friendships.

Hazel Sundberg was a model citizen, perhaps even an exemplar, serving on many community groups including the Groton City Council, School board, County medical board, Lions and many others. In addition, Hazel was active in Eastern Star and Emmanuel Lutheran Church.

Hazel was a voracious reader all of her life and loved to continually learn about all manner of subjects. She was a very well informed and engaging person who loved to debate the central and fundamental questions of the day. Hazel loved to travel and was fortunate to be able to travel with her sister, Bernice (Kelley) Swanson and son, Chuck to exotic places like Greece, Germany, Hawaii, not to mention California. As was her usual habit, Hazel would "read up" in advance of her travels, so she could make the most of her experiences.

Hazel was also a woman of the Earth. She loved to farm and she loved to garden. Hazel was a wonderful farm wife who took lunches to the field in her little white convertible delivering fresh pies, and tasty casseroles. And she was good at farm management. After her husband Carl died, she took over the extensive and diversified farming operation and ran it efficiently with aplomb.

Preceding her in death were her parents, her husband, Carl Sundberg and two brothers, Lorenz and Clifford Reyelts.

She is survived by her son, Charles and his wife Teresa Sundberg and their daughters, Brieanna and Nicole all of Hawaii, her sister Bernice (Kelley) Swanson of Aberdeen, her sister-in-law Gladys Reyelts of Britton, several nieces and many friends. We have all been the beneficiaries of Hazel Sundberg!

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