Hazel M. Walford

Hazel M. Walford, 89 of Devils Lake formerly of the Fort Totten area died on Tuesday, December 23, 2008 at her home in the loving care of her husband, Morgan. Funeral Services for Hazel will be held on Monday, December 29, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Devils Lake. Rev. Naomi Garber will officiate and burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Sunday from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation on Monday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Serving as Casket Bearers for Hazel will be Justin Dale, Jayson Dale, Jayson Walford, Anna Coy and Patrick Cowan, Bob and Helen Weed and Walter and Helen Mae Hanson. Music will be provided by Irving Thompson, soloist and Patty Cote, organist. Hazel was born on October 16, 1919 in McVille, ND the daughter of Nels and Anna (Reier) Halvorson. Hazel was reared and educated in Tolna, graduating from Tolna High School in the class of 1937. She then attended General Hospital School of Nursing in Devils Lake and graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1942. Hazel was united in marriage to Morgan Walford on March 13, 1943 at Colorado Springs, Colorado. When Morgan was at Camp Carson, during World War II, Hazel returned to Devils Lake and worked at the General Hospital. In 1950, Morgan and Hazel moved to their farm north of Fort Totten where they farmed side by side and raised their family through the years. Hazel also served as the Head Nurse of the Fort Totten Public Health Program for 20 years. In 1982, they retired and moved to Devils Lake where they have since made their home. For fifteen years, they spent their winter months in Mesa, Arizona. Hazel was a member of St. Olaf Lutheran Church, WELCA and Anna Circle and the area Homemaker’s Club. She also volunteered at the Senior Center for many years. Hazel had a very special talent when it came to sewing and needlework. She was a true artisan of Hardanger and sewed many mittens, dishcloths, and other items to share with her family and friends. Hazel was a devoted, loving wife and mother and each of her children and grandchildren held a special place in her heart. We will treasure her legacy of true love, devotion and faith in our hearts forever. Hazel is survived by her husband of 65 years, Morgan Children: Kathryn Cowan and her husband, James of Bandon, Oregon Donald Walford and his wife, Sandra of Newcastle, Wyoming Linda Dale and her husband, Jayson of Snowhommish, Washington Eight Grandchildren: Karen, Patrick, Kathryn, Colleen, Jayson, Anna, Justin and Julie Twenty Great Grandchildren A nephew, Terry Braathen and niece, Barbara Braathen Hazel was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Borghild Braathen-Lien and brother, Thorvald Halvorson. The family requests memorials be directed to St. Olaf Building Fund.