Hazel Clarke, 96

Hazel Clarke, 96, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 26, 2009, at her home in Columbia Falls, surrounded by the family. She was born on April 14, 1913, to Carl and Ingeborg Zakariason. Her parents were Norwegian immigrants who settled near Thief River Falls, Minn. Hazel, who was born at the family home with only her father assisting in the delivery, was the seventh of nine children. The children spoke Norwegian in the home and learned English at school. Hazel continued to speak Norwegian throughout her life, often saying the Lord s Prayer in Norwegian. When Hazel was 10 years old, the Moose River flooded the family farm. The family moved to Saskatchewan for a short time. Because Hazel s parents treasured their U.S. citizenship, they moved the family back to the U.S., relocating in Chinook. It was there that Hazel completed her elementary and high school education. She took pride in excelling in school. She loved reading and learning and continued her education at Western Montana College in Dillon. She obtained a teacher s certificate and taught for several years in one-room rural schools, teaching grades one through eight. While teaching at Lake Blaine School in the Flathead Valley, Hazel met her husband, Harold Clarke, at a country dance. Their courtship was prolonged by World War II, as Harold was stationed in Hawaii. At this time, Hazel went to work in the shipyards at Bellingham, Wash., and San Francisco. After the war, Hazel and Harold married in Chinook in 1945. The couple settled on a family homestead in east Flathead Valley in the Deer Park community. It was here that Hazel and her husband raised five children; three boys and two girls. While Harold worked on the farm and in local sawmills, Hazel dedicated her life to being a homemaker and mother. Faith and education were high priorities. Always a devout Christian, Hazel regularly attended Bethlehem Lutheran Church with her children. Besides giving her children a Christian education, she advocated higher education for her children and grandchildren. She always supported the levies of Deer Park Elementary and Flathead High School where her five children and seven grandchildren attended. Hazel took great pleasure in her family. She loved taking care of her grandchildren. Her favorite times were family get-togethers. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold, in 1982; and one son, Philip Phil Clarke, in 2006; also two brothers and six sisters. She is survived by four children; two sons, Harold H. Clarke Jr., and wife Pam of Columbia Falls, and Ernie A. Clarke and wife, Reva, of Eagle, Idaho; two daughters, Mary Ann Lidstrom and husband Greg, and Susan Kitchen and husband Jesse, all of Columbia Falls; eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. A celebration of her life will be held at noon on Saturday, Jan. 2, at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Hazel s family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to view Hazel s guest book, offer condolences and share memories.