Hazel D. Gaard

OREGON - Hazel Damie (Wellbrock) Gaard, age 84, passed away on October 12, 2024, from dementia. She was born on March 31, 1940, in Fergus Falls, Minn., to Herbert and Edna (Hansen) Wellbrock. She later moved to St. Peter, Minn., with her family and graduated from St. Peter High School on June 5, 1958, and then attended Rochester School of Vocational Nursing in Rochester, Minn,, graduating May 17, 1959 as a Licensed Practical Nurse. Hazel retired in 2005 from the Dean Clinic in Madison, Wis., where she worked for more than 25 years as a pediatric nurse.

Hazel was married to Virgil Conrad Gaard of St. Peter, Minn., on July 4, 1959. After living in St. Peter for a few years after their marriage, where they were blessed with two children, Belinda and Jeffery, they lived in Iowa and Illinois before moving to Oregon, Wis., in 1978.

Hazel was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith and was an active member of churches everywhere she lived. Since 1978 she was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Oregon, Wis., and was active in Sarah Circle, the Quilter’s Group, and served in other areas when asked. She was an active church member, a volunteer at the Oregon Senior Center, and a regular blood donor.

Genealogy was Hazel’s passion; she was able to trace her Wellbrock family to the 1600s in Germany. In 1999, she completed a family history book of the Wellbrock family and made yearly updates for several years. She also loved to quilt and made her children and five grandchildren quilts, in addition to making numerous quilts for Project Linus (Dane County Chapter). She enjoyed being with her family and many friends.

Hazel and Virgil traveled to many places over the years, including Germany, Holland, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Czech Republic, Italy, Brazil, Canada, and Mexico. They traveled extensively in the U.S., including New York City, Alaska, and Hawaii. They spent many winters in Arizona and enjoyed several trips to the Caribbean.

Hazel is survived by her husband of 65 years, Virgil; daughter, Belinda (Joel) Storms; son, Jeff (Sue) Gaard; grandchildren, Krystle (Kurtis) Nelson, Brittany (Derek) Mergen, Trey (fiancée, Brooke Herschleb) Storms, Andrew (fiancée, Isabelle Jacobs) Gaard, and Abigail Gaard; and great-grandchildren, Mason, Bailey and Scarlet Nelson; and Nora and Lena Mergen. She is further survived by her brother, Owen (Donna) Wellbrock; sister, Dawn (Fran) Reinardy; brother-in-law, David McKenzy; sisters-in-law, Valoris Nuessmeier and Barb Gaard; and many nieces and nephews. Hazel was preceded in death by her parents, Herbert and Edna Wellbrock; a sister, Laura McKenzy; and brothers-in-law, James Gaard, Jerry Gaard, and Harold Nuessmeier.

Last but never to be forgotten is Prince, her beloved Pomeranian dog. Adopted in 2002, he was Hazel’s constant companion and loved to walk with her.

A funeral service will be held at ST. JOHN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH, 625 E. Netherwood St., Oregon, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. A visitation will be held at the church from 9 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday. A private family burial will take place at a later date.

Memorials may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church, Agrace HospiceCare, or a memorial of the donor’s choice. The family would like to thank BeeHive Homes and Agrace HospiceCare for their dedicated and compassionate care provided in Hazel’s final years.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson Oregon
Funeral & Cremation Care
1150 Park St.
(608) 835-3515