Hazel Marie Fletcher

Hazel Marie (Hoffman) Fletcher, passed away peacefully at the Mason City Area Nursing home on Tuesday, November 9th, at the age of 98. She was born on March 21, 1924 in Mason City, Illinois to her parents, Hazel (Thomas) Hoffman and Leslie Hoffman, of Mason City. She married her high school sweetheart, Nathan “Bud” Fletcher, also of Mason City, in Kahoka, Missouri on April 4, 1942. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her siblings, her daughter Mary Ellen (Fletcher) Agles, and two granddaughters, Barbara Agles and Gabri Ellen Fletcher. Hazel is survived by her two sons, Robert Fletcher of Alabama and Steven Fletcher of Mason City; six grandchildren: Eric Fletcher, James Fletcher, Lynly (Fletcher) Triplett, Tracy (Fletcher) Batten, Nataly (Fletcher) Kelly, Corey Fletcher; eleven great-grandchildren: Raymond Fletcher, Ben Fletcher, Thomas Triplett,Vanessa Triplett, Carina Triplett, James Fletcher, Chloe Fletcher, Eden Batten, Evan Batten, May Kelly, Eve Kelly; and two great-great-grandchildren: Luke Fletcher and Hazel Fletcher, her namesake, born just weeks before her passing, and through whom the cherished family name Hazel, now spanning three centuries and six generations, continues to live on. Hazel graduated from Mason City High School as her class valedictorian, a fact her husband often proudly mentioned to others. Shortly after her marriage, Hazel’s husband went to serve in World War II, and she began raising her baby son while her husband was stationed overseas. Hazel centered her world around family life, caring for her own mother, Hazel (Thomas) Hoffman until her death, and spending every available opportunity with her children and grandchildren. Hazel and her husband loved spending time creating memories with their family, generously arranging for their children and grandchildren to spend summers with them at a cabin on a lake in Wisconsin where they would swim, boat, ride bikes, fish, waterski, hike, play Uno and Tripoley, listen to the call of the loon, collect berries, read in hammocks in the North Woods, and spend time together. Hazel often spoiled her grandkids during these visits with blueberry pancakes the morning after picking blueberries, and “peanut buster parfaits” after long family bike rides together in the summer sun. Hazel also worked for a good portion of her life, for many years as a bookkeeper at L. Frank’s clothing store in Mason City, and later, at a dental practice in Mason City, long before the profession of dental hygienist was recognized. Hazel enjoyed traveling with her husband, taking their young children on many road trips to visit national parks and landmarks all over the United States. In her retirement years, she and her husband traveled around the world, visiting many of the places her husband had been deployed to during his military service in Europe, as well as China, Russia, and Egypt among other places. She and her husband often invited their grandchildren over to show them slideshows, share souvenirs, and recount their adventures. Hazel was a lifelong letter-writer and pen pal of friends she met around the world during her travels. Every Christmas, her home was covered with cards and letters from many countries. She was a fan of baking and making Christmas candy for her family to enjoy, passing down many cherished recipes that continue finding a place on her family members’ tables today. Hazel and her husband made several visits to Great Britain and Ireland, and they enjoyed watching British sitcom series together, such as Fawlty Towers. Hazel was a fan of wildlife and backyard bird feeding, and loved planting wildflowers in her garden. Art was one of Hazel’s hobbies too. She decorated her home with her own paintings, and often embellished her letters with drawings. Hazel was often seen with her husband on long walks around Mason City. She was also known for the homemade bread she baked and delivered on her walks to people who were ill, in need, or alone. She would often bring a grandchild along with her to help carry the just-baked loaves, showing them a living example of human kindness in the process. Hazel faced her share of challenges in life, growing up during times of scarcity and rationing during the Great Depression, and raising her young family during wartime. Hazel also battled and survived cancer. She also bore the heartbreaking loss of her 19-year-old daughter and 3-year-old granddaughter, whose lives ended suddenly and too soon, in a tragic automobile accident. In spite of all she endured, Hazel always had smiles, hugs, and kind words at the ready, as well as songs and silly dances to make her family smile. Favorites Hazel loved singing to her grandbabies and great-grandbabies included “I Love You a Bushel and a Peck” and “Mares Eat Oats,” often accompanied by tickles. As recently as a few months ago, Hazel said, “I’ve lived a good life. I had a wonderful marriage and the best family. I got to see so many places. I’ve been so lucky.” The family will hold a private graveside memorial service at the Mason City Cemetery. The family invites others to share their memories of Hazel on the Hurley Funeral Home website: www.hurleyfh.com.

Hazel Marie Fletcher

March 21, 1924 - November 9, 2022

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