HAZEL JEAN RADTKE

DECEMBER 17, 1927 - SEPTEMBER 24,2024

Final Words - I Love You at 6:10 pm

(Obituary- we asked mom on Monday, September 23, 2024, to share with the family what she wanted to be remembered for. My dear friend, Carol Krick Sands, lovingly accepted to help put mom's words in print.)

Hazel Jean Radtke, our wonderful mother and grandmother, passed peacefully
into heaven on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, with her twins Gary and Karen by
her side. Born on December 17, 1927, in South Haven, Michigan to parents Oscar
Radtke and Hilda Hebestreit, she was the oldest sibling to sister, Bethany and
brother, Randy.

At the tender age of 13, she met and fell in love with a handsome young man in
her confirmation class, Alfred Paul Hope. The couple courted for 6 years,
eventually tying the knot in 1947. After marrying, they ran a Holstein dairy farm
called Aliform Farms, eventually leaving farming to open Hope Equipment,
where they sold John Deere implements.

Hazel was the first farmer's wife among her friends, to get her driver's license.
She got her license so she could drive her husband's model-T. With her waitress
money she saved to buy her favorite automobile - a brand new 1967 Ford
Mustang. Not only did she do so against her in-laws wishes, she was going to
drive in style!

Hazel and Alfred's union brought 3 handsome sons, and a beautiful daughter.
Mark came first, followed by Bruce, and twins, Gary and Karen. Hazel finally got
the girl she had been wishing for.

As life can sometimes go, sadly the marriage was not to last and Alfred and
Hazel divorced. Soon after Mark joined the Army and was sent to Vietnam. All

alone with 3 middle schoolers - Hazel wanted a better life for them. She decided
to move to Marine City, Michigan to start over, so that she could be near her
sister Beth. Aunt Bethany generously doted on the children, buying them
bicycles and clothing, in an effort to help her sister.

Eventually Hazel reconnected with a childhood friend, Willis Harrington who had
a military career and was being sent to Naval Air Station in Lemoore, California.
They married and she excitedly looked forward to sunny California, and the
possibility of a tour of duty in Japan. She spent 3 years learning the culture and
was able to realize her dream of climbing Mt. Fuji to see the sunrise.

Hazel was an avid seamstress, always fashionably dressed. She lovingly sewed all
her children's clothing, as well as taught many sewing classes to 4-H club
members. She learned to square dance in San Diego, enjoying it so much, that
she sometimes attended conventions in Portland, Oregon.

Hazel faced life's challenges with courage and grace. She never waivered in her
faith, and was a devoted Lutheran her whole life. As a follower of Christ, it was
her great desire that her family do the same.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Oscar and Hilda; siblings Randy and
Bethany; and sons Mark and Bruce. She is survived by her son Gary Hope
(Deborah) of Puyallup, Washington, Karen Hope (Barry) of Hanford, California, as
well as seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Hazel, you were a good and faithful servant. You will be deeply missed by your
family and all who knew and loved you. May you rest in peace knowing your
work here on earth is done.