Hazel E. Fish, 80

Hazel E. Fish, 80, passed away peacefully from complications of viral pneumonia with family members by her side Friday, Jan. 9, 2009, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center. Hazel was born in Fairview on July 23, 1928, to Trygve "Tom" and Inga (Ringsaker) Oakland of North Dakota. She was born third in a family of four daughters and two sons.

As a young woman, she lived and worked in North Dakota, eventually becoming a teacher at Hufflund country school near Bantry, N.D.

She met her future husband, Fred Fish, at a dance where Fred was playing guitar. Fred and Hazel married June 5, 1951, and lived in a small house they had moved to the Fish family farm Fred was managing, located just outside of Ray, N.D.

Hazel gave up her teaching career to raise their growing family of three boys and one girl. In 1959, they moved to Columbia Falls, where one more child, a fourth boy, was born. They raised their family in Columbia Falls, residing there for the remainder of their lives.

Hazel was well-known for her homemaking skills. She was a wonderful cook and took great pride in keeping house for her husband and children, and providing them with a warm and welcoming home.

Hazel and Fred loved to garden and she became an expert at canning and preserving the bounty of their large and famous vegetable gardens, as well as the wild game and fresh fish her husband and boys regularly brought home. She was always health conscious and cooked "organic" long before organic was cool. Her trim and well-kept appearance was enhanced by the wonderful smile that everyone who knew her will remember.

Hazel's quiet and somewhat reserved manner concealed a sharp wit and dry sense of humor which were revealed once she became acquainted with a person. In spite of her reserve, children were immediately attracted to her. In addition to her devotion to her family and home, Hazel loved reading. She especially enjoyed novels and history, but anything that aroused her curiosity was fair game.

Hazel was preceded in death by her husband, Fred, in 2006; son, Don, in 1994; and her sisters, Alma Embury and Joan Johnson.

She is survived by sons, Ron Fish and wife, Arlene, of Glenrock, Wyo., Bill Fish, and Fred Fish and wife, Lori, all of Columbia Falls; and daughter, Pam Nutter, of Tacoma, Wash. She is also survived by her brothers, Oscar and Trevor Oakland; her sisters, Lila Riehert and Christine Embury; grandchildren, Jason Fish and wife, Roxanne, Eric Fish, Bill Nutter, Bonnie and Holly Nutter, Kacie Hendricks, Lisa Shepherd and Steven Fish; as well as 10 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A private memorial service will be planned for a later date.

Hazel was cherished and admired by her family and friends and will be greatly missed.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for her family.