Doris Romaine (Wise) Hazen

Romaine Wise Hazen passed away April 8, 2011, in Vancouver, Wash., from congestive heart failure.

She was born in 1927 in Indiana and came to the Flathead Valley with her parents in 1930 at the age of 3 years. She attended elementary school in Kalispell and graduated from Flathead County High School with the Class of ‘46. While in high school and immediately following graduation, she worked at Western Union as a telegram delivery girl and telegrapher, and then as office assistant for Equity Supply.

In 1947 she moved to Walla Walla, Wash., and shortly thereafter began a 35-year career working for the Army Corps of Engineers as lead secretary and stenographer. While with the Corps, she spent two year-long tours of duty in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, one tour in Tel Aviv, Israel, and one in Tirrenia, Italy.

Romaine was a very creative person and a talented seamstress, beautifully tailoring her own clothes and those of others. She especially enjoyed working with fine woolen fabrics. All of her homes reflected her creativity, and were beautifully, but simply decorated with her "signature" ruffled tieback curtains and the lovely items she had purchased during her travels overseas. Those travels ignited her interest in world affairs and she maintained that interest throughout her lifetime.

Romaine is survived by her son, Larry Hazen, and lovely wife, Melissa; grandchildren, David, Drey, McKade and Paislie; great-grandson, Tyler, and a little sister expected soon. Her sisters, Marian Wise of Missoula, and Bonnie Herron of South Jordan, Utah, also survive her.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Lloyd E. “Windy” Hazen; parents, Laurren Thomas Wise and Doris (Wise) Smith; and her two favorites, Aunt Mabel and Uncle Harry Price.

Condolences may be sent to Larry and Melissa Hazen, 22106 NE 29th Avenue, Ridgefield, WA 98642.