Hazel Stevens passed away peacefully on Jan. 19, 2009, at the age of 89.
She was born in Richfield, Idaho, on April 23, 1919, to William and Lena Carter. Hazel was raised in Richfield with her three brothers and two sisters. She attended Richfield schools and graduated from Richfield High School in 1937. Hazel knew from an early age she wanted to be a teacher, so she continued her education at the Albion Normal School, receiving her teaching credential in 1939. Her first two years of teaching were in a one-room schoolhouse in Priest, Idaho, which was a small farming community between Carey and Richfield. She then taught second grade in Richfield from 1941 to 1944.
Hazel secretly married Lewis (L.A.) Stevens on Dec. 13, 1941, because her teaching contract stated that she stay unmarried for the school year. L.A. had enlisted in the Air Force and did not want to leave before he married the love of his life. In 1944, Hazel moved to Gila Bend, Ariz., to join her husband. L.A. and Hazel returned to Idaho in 1945 and then made Hailey their home. She spent the next nine years being a homemaker and full-time mom to their three children.
Hazel resumed her teaching career in 1954 to teach second grade at the Ketchum Grade School. In 1956, she transferred to the Hailey Grade School and then to Bellevue Elementary School. She continued her education at Idaho State University and received her Bachelor of Arts degree in education in 1963. In 1972, Hazel was honored with an Outstanding Teacher of America award because of her exceptional ability, dedication and service to the education of children. She was a second-grade teacher in Blaine County schools for over 30 years before retiring from teaching in 1984. Hazel taught many children in the Wood River Valley, and in some cases two generations of the same family. She will be remembered for being a kind and patient teacher who made each child's education her No. 1 priority.
Even though Hazel had a busy career she always made time for her own children. She gladly helped with homework, cooked them their favorite meals, attended all of their sporting events and volunteered in Boy Scouts and Job's Daughters. Hazel thoroughly enjoyed spending time with her four grandchildren, Audrey, Kelley, Sean and Tyler. She never turned down a request to read a story, play a game or bake them their favorite cookies or cake. She always kept wonderful art projects on hand so they could create artistic masterpieces with her guidance. Her grandchildren will always cherish their special times with Grandma Hazel.
She loved spending time with family, traveling, reading and flower gardening. She was an excellent baker and her delicious frosted sugar cookies, chocolate chip cookies, banana bread and famous divinity are just a few things she was known for creating and sharing among family and friends.
Hazel was a member of St. Charles Catholic Church. She was very involved in the community in years past, as a past president of the Blaine County Legion Auxiliary and a member and officer of Eastern Star. Hazel was also a member of the National, Idaho and Blaine County education associations and the local PTA.
Hazel was preceded in death by her mother and father, William and Lena Carter; her husband, Lewis (L.A.) Stevens; two granddaughters, Maria and Angela Stevens; her brothers, Owen Carter, William Carter and Edmond Carter; and her sisters, Thelma Brown and Beverly Thompson. She is survived by her son David (Julie) Stevens of Hailey, son Gary (Julie) Stevens of Boise; daughter Lu Ann (Mick) Metzel of Hailey; grandchildren, Audrey (Richard) Watkins of Park City, Utah, Kelley (Kyle) Rushton of Hailey, Sean (Lori) Stevens of Boise and Tyler (Mya) Metzel of Fullerton, Calif. and great-grandchildren Taylor, Kali and Zachary Watkins and Jake, Chase and Grace Rushton.
The family would like to thank the caregivers at Aspen Grove in Bellevue, Autumn Years in Boise and Legacy Hospice in Boise for their loving care of our dear mother, grandmother and great grandmother.
A funeral service and a celebration of Hazel's life will be held Saturday, Jan. 24, at 11 a.m. at St. Charles Catholic Church in Hailey, followed by a graveside service at the Hailey Cemetery. The celebration of Hazel's life will continue at a luncheon at the Blaine County Senior Center, 721 S. Third Ave. in Hailey. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601-7633, or to the St. Charles Parish Educational Scholarship Fund, Box 789, Hailey, ID 83333.
Arrangements are under the care of Wood River Chapel of Hailey. Condolences may be left at www.woodriverchapel.com.
