Hazel Marie Wunsch

SHEBOYGAN/OREGON-Our mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, Hazel Marie (Nelson) Wunsch, left us on Monday, Oct. 22, 2018, at the age of 94. She was born on Sept. 17, 1924, in Oak Park, Ill. Her parents were Jessica Marie (Offenlock) Nelson and Edward Nathaniel Nelson. She has one sister, Audrey (Fred) Padgett of Oak Brook, Ill. She graduated from Austin High School (Chicago, Ill.) in 1942. After graduation she worked at Scribner’s and Montgomery Wards in Chicago. During World War II, she met her farm boy-soldier from Wisconsin, Donald Louis Wunsch. They were married on Aug. 10, 1946; after which they made a home in Sheboygan, Wis. Hazel was blessed with four children, Donna Marie Wunsch (Ken Carlson) of Prineville, Ore.; Laurie Jean Gilsdorf (Tom) of Port Richie, Fla.; Edward Arno Wunsch (Lisa Checkon) of Minneapolis, Minn.; and James Steven Wunsch (Penny) of Oregon, Wis. Hazel has ten grandchildren: Jessica, Aaron and Geoffrey Gilsdorf; Benjamin, Joshua, Jesse and Gabrielle Wunsch; and Andy, Shelby and Charlie Carlson. She has on great-grand child, Xanndria Conway. Hazel described herself as a “stay-at-home” mom, although she was always busy volunteering at church, school, Sheboygan Youth Band and 4-H. Later, she worked in the delicatessen at Piggly Wiggly until she retired in 1994. During all these years, she kept herself busy with sewing, knitting and reading, and kept healthy with walking and swimming; but her greatest pleasures were trips that she and Don took in their motorhome. They visited friends and scenic locations all over this country. They also included in their adventures, trips to Hawaii and Alaska. Hazel and Don were married 61 years when he died in 2007. For the next ten years, she created an active social life for herself, until her last illness. She will be remembered and missed. A Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2018, at 9:30 a.m. at GREENLAWN MEMORIAL PARK, 6706 Superior Avenue, Kohler, Wis. The officiant will be Rev. John Berg. A luncheon will be served afterwards at Trinity Lutheran Church (824 Wisconsin Avenue, Sheboygan, Wis.). In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Sheboygan County Humane Society. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson West Funeral & Cremation Care 7435 University Ave. (608) 831-6761