Hazel L. Zetterberg's Obituary
Hazel Leona Zetterberg was born November 15, 1925, to Elina and Hjalmar Hammerstrom in their Tacoma farmhouse off 92nd between Vickery and Waller Road. What a joy she was for them as the fourth child and only girl. A year and a half later Hazel was stricken with polio and then at the age of three her father was stricken with TB and died. Hazel began a journey of several surgeries on her right leg, leaving it shorter than the left. As she grew older it never slowed her down. Her only wish was to one day wear high heels, but that would never happen. Hazel's mother’s faith kept them strong in times of great pain and sorrow. The Lord demonstrated unfailing love time and time again. Hazel attended Jason Lee Jr. High and then Stadium High school. While in the 10th grade, due to family financial challenges, she made the decision to quit and began working at Kresses. At the age of 20 she met the man of her dreams, Carl Alvin Zetterberg, who was a handsome, fun loving, follower of Jesus Christ. Their love for each other led them into marriage on June 14, 1947 at Bethel Pentecostal Assembly, later known as Church For All Nations, where she was a member until her death. Hazel taught Sunday school, sang in the choir, met with the ladies sewing circle every Thursday sewing quilts for the Doodwicken orphanage in Liberia, Africa, and attended many social functions where lifelong relationships were made. Hazel had 6 children, who all married, 18 grandchildren with 17 spouses and 55 great grandchildren, making a family of 102. She loved and cherished every minute with each one. Hazel remembered everyone's birthday with a call, a card and special birthday money. Through the years she raised the children in the ways of the Lord. Hazel was a prayer warrior and at times the children would come home from school to see her hands in the kitchen sink washing dishes while crying out to God, or her hands in the air singing praises! Hazel and her husband not only heard the word of God, but they put it into practice in their daily lives. Jesus meant everything to her and she shared with everyone the need to make him Savior and Lord. She knew that it is a heaven and hell choice. Hazel passed down her Swedish traditions to the children including; Cocockers every Christmas dinner, lots of Swedish cookies (krumkake, futtigman, sunbuckles, rosettes, Swedish spritz), lutefisk with allspice and white sauce, pickled herring, potato sausage, Swedish pancakes and her famous Swedish rye bread. Some of these traditions have vanished away and others will continue to the next generation. In addition to her immeasurable involvement with her family, Hazel loved going on trips, gardening, sewing beautiful dresses for her girls, knitting and crocheting. She just loved people and serving them with her beautiful smile. Everyone was welcomed at her table without exception and the whole family was good at inviting them over.
What a love affair Hazel had with her husband Carl for over 50 years until his death in 1997. Others who preceded her in death were parents Hjalmar and Elina Hammerstrom, brothers Martin (Evelyn), Rueben, and Paul (Kay), brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Gordon and Pearl Scott, Joe and Ruby Finley, MaryLouise Finley, John and Carrie Zetterberg, and James and Gerd Zetterberg and 1 great grandson, Leilan Vincent.
Hazel is survived by her 6 children and spouses; Bob (Janice Walterman), Karl (Jane Braaten), Marlyn (Hartley Hagen), Janet (Phillip Durance), Lois (Gary Hansen) and Sharon (George Eide); 18 grandchildren and spouses; DeAnn (Shawn), Daniel (April), David (Stacy), Eric (Heidi), Greg (Stephanie), Brian (Amber), Jeff (Amber), Jason, Julie (Nick), Sharon (Mike), Jennifer (Brock), Chris (Nichole), Anne (Scotty), Bryan (Audrey), Tricia (Brian), Rachelle (Troy), Ryan (Sarah), and Renae (Colin).
Now for the host of 54 great grandchildren ranging from the ages of 7 months to 17 years old: Carolina, Banner, Magnolia, Augusta, Maddison, Ivy, Tommy, Elijah, Cole, Kyle, Hazel, Sadie, Asher, Noelle, Amarise, Isaac, Caden, Annelysse, Ireland, Conner, Griffin, Isaiah, Avalyn, Hailey, Trey, Kaleb, Emmerson, Gracelyn, Noell, Ryder, Niksson, Sophia, Eva, Johanna, Bjorn, Ashton, Carson, Bentley, Caleb, Jaelyn, Emery, Addison, Beckett, Logan, Landon, Kyler, Malia, Mason, Lauren, Berkly, Cosette, Ethan, Elayna, and Liam, along with brothers-in-law and sister-in-law Daryl Finley, Lloyd and Frances Zetterberg, and a host of nephews and nieces.
Proverbs 31:28 Her children arise up and call her blessed, her husband also, and he praises her.
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