Hazel Irene Mulford, 94

Hazel Irene Mulford fought her battle and won Tuesday morning, Dec. 27, 2022. She stands in the presence of Jesus, her blessed Redeemer.

She was born to Vincent Thomas Rice and Viola Belva Greenwell Rice on Feb. 19, 1928 in Kansas City, Missouri.

She grew up with her sister Evelyn, and twin brothers, Harry and Larry, in the Kansas City suburb of Miriam, Kansas. Until her final days she gave thanksgiving for neighbors there who took her to church as a little girl for many years.

In 1945 she graduated from Shawnee Mission high school, in Shawnee, Kansas. She immediately began a career in retail sales as a clerk at the John Taylor department store in Kansas City just before it was purchased by Macy’s. That fall she moved to San Francisco to share an apartment with her much loved maternal grandmother. She took positions as a clerk in the acclaimed City of Paris Department store, first in the toy department where she assisted Santa, then in the Hanky and Glove department where she won favor with the CEO and was picked to be trained as a buyer, before love interrupted her plans.

Hazel attended WS Christian church in San Francisco and was united with Christ in Christian baptism on her 18th birthday, Feb. 19, 1946.

She lived forward, always depending on HIS word, His love and His forgiveness, and staying connected to the body of believers.

While attending the church in San Francisco she was introduced to a young man who was also from Kansas City. A romance ensued ending a retail career and culminating in an engagement and wedding the following spring. On March 28, 1947 John L “Jack” Mulford and Hazel were united in marriage. Their romance lasted 71 1/2 years.

They added three children to their family; Irene in 1948, Tom in 1951, and Mark in 1953. The family moved often following opportunities. Irene noted that she went to nine schools in nine years and lived in even more houses. Hazel never complained about moving and looked at each move as an adventure to be embraced, making it easy and fun for her children as well. They migrated from Kansas to California to Washington and in the winter of 1962 to Lakeside, Montana, where Jack took a management position at Bell Manufacturing Company where they produced RV campers and trailers. Hazel remained super mom and wife and was active in Lakeside Chapel and spent much time in prayer for her children.

In 1970, Jack and Hazel returned to Missouri to be close to his aging parents. During that time they started their own topper manufacturing and RV repair business. Hazel was delighted to once again be “selling “ even if it wasn’t high-end ladies fashions. In 1973, heartbreak hit when their youngest son, Mark, was killed while serving in the Navy in Guam.

In 1977 they returned to Montana where grandchildren were being added to the family. They settled, then retired in the Somers area.

Hazel was a faithful, humble, loving wife who set an example for many young women. She enjoyed loving on her family, serving in her church, sewing and gardening. Her second family was the body at Kalispell Christian Church, renamed Family Life Christian Church, where they served and helped build for over 40 years.

Hazel was preceded in death by her son, Mark; her dear husband, Jack; her sister; her parents; her beloved parent-in-laws; and a granddaughter, Abigail.

She is survived by her son, Tom (Nila) Mulford of Billings; her daughter, Irene (Gordon) Zuehlsdorff of Kalispell; her grandchildren, Wendy (Andrew) Brown, Christine (Ryan) Osler, Susan (Eric) Brenco — all of Kalispell/Somers, Luke (Lindsey) Mulford, Mark Mulford, John (Mariel) Mulford of Billings, Erin Wolfe, Annie (Jon) Tommerup of Helena; 17 great-grandchildren; brothers Harry Gutridge and Larry (Joyce) Gutridge; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services will be Saturday, Dec. 31, 11 a.m. at Family Life Christian Church, 1075 Foys Lake Road, Kalispell. Lunch will be served afterward.

In lieu of flowers, please consider gifts to Lighthouse Christian Home in Kalispell, Pine Haven Christian Children’s Ranch in St. Ignatius or Lakeside QRU.