Obituaries : Bernadine Hazelhoff

Funeral services for Bernadine May Hazelhoff, 93, of Swea City, will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, April 16, 2015, at United Methodist Church in Swea City, with Pastor Todd Hartsock officiating. Interment will be in Harrison Township Cemetery, rural Swea City.

Bernadine passed away Monday, April 13, 2015, at Valley Vue Care Center in Armstrong, Iowa. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. today, April 15, at United Methodist Church in Swea City. Bernadine May (Holliday) Hazelhoff was born May 20, 1921, in Coon Rapids, Iowa. She received her education in the Coon Rapids Community Schools, graduating from Coon Rapids High School in 1938.

She was very active in all music activities - accompanying, singing, and playing in the high school band under the leadership of the music teacher, her father, Roy Holliday. After graduating from high school, she played professionally for over 20 years with bands from Glidden and Carroll and in Holliday's band during the big band era. She especially enjoyed playing in Holliday's Community Band at the State Fair, other celebrations around Iowa, and at weekly band concerts in the park. She also gave piano lessons in her home. On Aug. 23, 1941, she was united in marriage to V.E. "Blondie" Hazelhoff in Kahoka, Mo. The couple lived in Moline, Ill., until Blondie enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1942. After the war, they moved to Coon Rapids. In 1957, the family moved to Swea City, where they owned and operated Hazelhoff Motors, a Ford dealership until their retirement in 1982. Blondie passed away Feb. 27, 1999. Bernadine was an active member of the Swea City United Methodist Church and the 7th Day Adventist Church. She continued her life-long love of music - serving as organist in the United Methodist Church and Baptist Church in Swea City - playing for the choir, soloists and small groups there. She also played for the Swea City School and community choir and Memorial Day service as well. Many years Bernadine played for Miss Kossuth - Winnebago pageants. Her Christian faith and her love of family were the most important things in her life. She was loved by her family and friends and will be greatly missed.

Left to cherish Bernadine's memory are three daughters, Mary Ann Whelchel and husband, Leon of Vinton, Iowa, Molly Sue Elliott and husband, Tom of Armstrong, and Mindy Lou Thompson and husband, Russ of Fairmont, Minn.; son, Michael Vardell Hazelhoff and wife, Sally of West Battle Lake, Minn.; 13 grandchildren, Melody, Melissa, Melinda, Michael, Heather, Hillary, Hayley, Thomas, Jon, Allison, Jenny, Jared, Jacob; 27 great-grandchildren, Tyler, Tayler, Courtney, Madison, Jalen, Justice, Jordan, Tyler, McKenna, Tayten, Evan, Emily, Elliott, Ella, Olivia, Sydney, Ben, Avery, Taylor, Lauren, Riley, Sam, Maddy, Laura, Jordan, Ryan, Caleb; and great-great-granddaughters, Kari and Kalli. Preceding Bernadine in death are her parents; husband; a sister; and a brother.