Hazel Hagler

Hazel Marie Hagler, age 98, of Arnold, passed away on September 29, 2021, at the Callaway Good Life Center in Callaway, Nebraska. She was born April 28, 1923, to Albert and Esther (Russell) Ferguson. Esther passed away when Hazel was only 5 years of age so her dad moved his little family from North Platte to a farmstead south of Berwyn, Nebraska, to an area known as Happy Hollow. She attended a country school close by her home where her teacher, Zelma Staab, would later marry her dad and become her mother. After finishing eighth grade she moved to Stapleton, Nebraska, to live with her grandparents, Zell and Emma Russell, so she could attend high school. She graduated from Baker Rural High School with the class of 1940 holding a normal training certificate allowing her to become a teacher.

Following graduation, she married Duane Samuel Harvey residing in Stapleton for many years. Her time was spent helping with farm chores, planting and raising a large garden every year and canning vegetables and fruits to have on hand for the winter months. She continued her gardening and canning produce long after her children had families of their own. Her lime pickles and apple butter were always favorites of her grandchildren. When her children were still at home, she decided to put her normal training certificate to work and took up teaching. Her first job was a country school in the Callaway area, all the while attending summer school at Kearney State Teachers College in order to get a teaching degree. She taught school in Eddyville, Gothenburg, Stapleton, Madrid, and Arnold. Hazel felt that college was important and encouraged all of her children to pursue higher education, which they all did. Four of them followed in her footsteps and entered the education field, and one went into the health care field.  Hazel retired from teaching when she married Willis B. Hagler of Arnold and Lived there the remainder of her life.

Hazel and Bill traveled around the United States, visited Europe and cruised through the Panama Canal. She was also an avid bowler and bowled for many years. Her love of bowling also allowed her to travel. She and her team would participate in the women's state bowling tournaments in Nebraska, as well as, traveling to the women's national bowling tournaments around the country. She continued to bowl until medical problems forced her to quit.  She was a member of the Arnold Baptist Church. She loved the Lord and participated in many of the church activities, helping where she could. She enjoyed going to the Bible studies and the fellowship every week at the Riverside apartments. She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and took part in many of the activities in the community.

She is preceded in death by her mother, Esther Ferguson, parents, Albert and Zelma Ferguson, siblings Helen Bergman, Richard Ferguson, Jim Ferguson, Claris Ferguson, Bonnie Belle Peterson and Marvin Ferguson, sister-in-law Becky Ferguson, brother-in-law Leonard Peterson, daughter-in-law Monica Harvey, and grandsons Zane Harvey and Jeff Schardt. She is survived by her five children: Carolyn Kay (Norman) Northey of North Platte, Robert Zell Harvey of Stapleton, Michael Duane (Mary Becker) Harvey of Arnold, Kathleen Rae (Jim) Jensen of Warsaw, Missouri, and Alfred Samuel (Chris) Harvey of Stapleton, sisters in-law Bonnie Lou Ferguson of Ansley and Sharon Ferguson of Phoenix , Arizona, eleven grandchildren and their spouses Randy (Melva) Northey, Michael (Beth) Jensen, Shannon (Ron) Chramosta, Kassandra (John) Liebnitz, Scott (Jennie) Harvey, Travis (Jodie) Harvey, Aaron (Joy) Harvey, Blaine Harvey, Kelli Schardt, Ryan (Nancy) Harvey and Vanessa Harvey, 25 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild.

Funeral services will be Monday, October 4, 2021, at 10 am at the Arnold Baptist Church with Pastors Irv Jennings and Scott Harvey officiating.  Visitation will be at the church on Sunday October 3rd from 2 to 5 pm.  Burial will be at the McCain Cemetery south of Stapleton.  Memorials are suggested to the Arnold Baptist Church or the American Legion Auxiliary. Govier Brothers of Broken Bow/Arnold/Mullen are in charge of arrangements. An online guest book may be signed at www.govierbrothers.com.