HAZEL LOEDA LOESCHEN, age 89, of Worthington, died Saturday, March 11, 2017, at the Maple Lawn Nursing Home in Fulda where she became a resident in December of 2016. She was born June 21, 1927, in Woodbury County, Iowa, to Carl and Esther (Kiburz) Hammer. She was baptized August 14, 1927, at the Methodist Episcopal Church in Woodbury.  She attended grade school and high school in Lake Park, Iowa, and graduated in 1945.

   Hazel married Raymond Loeschen on August 27, 1946, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Lakefield.  She was then confirmed on March 30, 1947, at St. Paul Lutheran Church and became a member of that church.   The couple farmed for over 40 years in Ewington township of Jackson County, Minnesota, and later retired and lived in Worthington for the past 27 years.  Hazel worked as a waitress at Dave’s café and bowling alley in Lake Park, Iowa, at the bakery in Worthington, Worthmore Creamery and for almost 20 years at the Campbell Soup Company in Worthington leaving as a head lab technician.  She loved caring for her family, daughters, Bonnie and Diane.  Hazel loved gardening and her flowers.  She was a member of a neighborhood ladies club and has kept active all her life with friends, family, and her home.  She enjoyed bowling, golfing, swimming, playing cards, and loved to dance.  Hazel loved everyone she met and had a sweet and gentle soul.  Heaven has, indeed, gained an angel.

   Hazel is survived by her daughter, Diane Smith, of Lafayette, Colorado; two brothers, Orville Hammer, St. Helena, California; and Melvin Hammer, Owasso, Oklahoma; sister, Rosalind Christ, Lake Park, Iowa; and a sister-in-law, Velma Hammer, Lakefield, Minnesota.

   She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Raymond on July 23, 2016; and her daughter, Bonnie Jean Loeschen on February 17, 2007; sister, Evelyn (Wallace) Osterman; and three brothers, Ervin (Vonda) Hammer, Galen (Julie) Hammer, and Leslie Hammer.

   Visitation will be from 9:00 to 10:30 am Saturday, March 18, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Lakefield followed by a funeral service at 10:30 am, officiated by Pastor Jeff Sage. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

   Dingmann Funeral Home, in Worthington, is in charge of arrangements.

   To view an online obituary or order flowers, please visit dingmannandsons.com.

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