Ms. Mary A. Hazen

Mary A. Hazen, age 87 of Waynesville, North Carolina, formerly of Mt. Hope, Wisconsin, died on May 17, 2009 at the Autumn Care Nursing Home in Waynesville after an extended illness. Mary was born November 2, 1921, to the late Daniel P. and Belle M. Traner in rural Bloomington , Wisconsin. She joined a family of two half-brothers, the late Virgil Knapp of Montfort, Wisconsin, and the late Cecil Knapp of Mt. Hope, Wisconsin. A third half-brother, Harold, died at the age of three. Mary attended a local grade school and graduated high school from St. Mary’s Academy, an all-girls school in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. On February 25, 1941, she married Ralph Hazen of Mt. Hope, Wisconsin. They spent the majority of their married life in Mt. Hope, where they raised four children. Mary retired from West Grant Schools in 1977, where she served as head cook for many years. She became an active member in the Wisconsin School Food Service Association, serving as a state board member and ultimately as president of the association. During her tenure as president, the organization was instrumental in lobbying Congress in Washington, D.C. advocating the implementation of the K-12 school hot breakfast program. Under her leadership, West Grant became one of the first schools in the nation to offer hot breakfasts to their students. Mary’s family was the source of great pride and joy in her life. She loved nothing more than cooking her fabulous meals for them, which often included her famous pies, homemade buns and sweet rolls. She became an expert at frying up the fresh catfish the men would bring home from their fishing trips, although that was not necessarily her most favorite task. Mary was also an active participant in numerous civic and charitable organizations during her lifetime. She had a special gift of befriending and relating to those whom she considered in need of extra attention, and as a result, she became a positive force in the lives of many. Due to Ralph’s health, they moved to Fort Myers, Florida, after their retirements. They enjoyed many warm and fun filled years there until Ralph’s passing in 1990. Mary subsequently moved to Waynesville, North Carolina, where she lived until her death. She is survived by two daughters; Mary Patricia (Carlos) Freymiller of Fennimore Wisconsin, and Judy Wise of Waynesville, North Carolina; one son, Robert (Trudi) Hazen of Mossyrock, Washington; eight grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews and many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Daniel and Belle M. Traner, her husband, Ralph Hazen, her son William Hazen, her grandson, Scott Hazen, and three half-brothers. A memorial service will be held at Garrett Funerals and Cremations in Waynesville on Wednesday, May 20, 2009, at 4:00 PM, Reverend John Swanger, III officiating. Friends may call from 3 to 4 pm prior to the service. Her cremains will be taken home to Wisconsin at a later date and buried in the Hermitage Cemetery near Mt. Hope. She will rest beside her husband, Ralph, and her son, William. An online guest registry may be signed at www.garrettfuneralsandcremations.com sponsored by the staff of Garrett Funerals and Cremations.