HAZEL MILDRED KORTLEEVER, age 88, of Luverne, died Saturday, July 28, 2018, at Sanford Hospice Cottage in Luverne.  She was born July 13, 1930 in Humboldt, SD, to John and Martha (Nielsen) McKeever.  She attended country school near Montrose, SD and later finished high school in Sioux Falls, SD.

Hazel married Wilbur "Bud" Kortleever on December 7, 1948, in Hardwick.  The couple farmed in Kanaranzi Township, rural Ellsworth, before moving to the farm in Grand Prairie Township, rural Ellsworth in 1975.  She worked with animals all her life, as a child she worked with horses on the family farm.  She milked cows for forty five years, she bought and sold cattle and did all the vaccinating and managed the care of all the animals on their farm. She raised baby calves and she would educate herself on the care of her livestock by reading and studying The Merck Veterinary Manual.  She worked at the Nickel-plate in downtown Sioux Falls as a young  girl and Bud and Hazel both worked at Morrells when they were first married. They wintered in the Texas Valley for over twelve years.  Hazel moved to Luverne in 2010.

She was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Adrian.   She enjoyed cooking and baking for the family, planting trees, shrubs and flowers. She is known for her homemade cookies, banana bread and the large meals she prepared for her family.

Hazel is survived by her three daughters,  Sherry  (Alfred) Aeikens, Ellsworth; Marilyn (Ken) Plueger, Harrisburg, SD; Jody (Randy) Delfs, Hardwick; seven grandchildren, Daniel Kruger, Sharla Evans, Jack Harms, Mark Aeikens, Jonathon Swenson, Jesson Delfs, Jayson Delfs; and eleven great-grandchildren,

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Wilber "Bud" Kortleever on May 21, 1998; son, John; daughter, Shirley Kruger; son-in-law, Dwayne Kruger; grandson, Jamison Delfs; and three sisters, Lily Ordal, Bernice Patrick, and Marcella McKeever.

Visitation will be from 5-8pm Tuesday  at the Dingmann Funeral Home in Luverne, and also one hour prior to the service at Church on Wednesday. Funeral service will be 10:30 Wednesday at Zion Lutheran Church, in Adrian, officiated by Bob Ossefoort.       Burial will be in the Grand Prairie Cemetery in Ellsworth.

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