Hazel Lois Thompson

Hazel Lois Thompson, age 98, of Watertown, SD, passed away on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, at Avantara Watertown.  Funeral Services will be at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at Cornerstone Church in Watertown.  Pastor Mark Tracy will officiate.

Visitation will be at the Cornerstone Church in Watertown on Monday from 5-7 p.m. and prior to services at the church on Tuesday.

Burial will be at Pleasant View Cemetery in Hayti, SD. Active pallbearers will be Taylor Vincent, Cameron Buri, Ken Everson, Curt Everson, Neal Everson, and Chad Wangen. Honorary pallbearers include all of Hazel’s grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.

Hazel was born on October 25, 1926, to John and Vivian (Walder) Everson. Hazel spent her childhood on a farm with her siblings and parents near Bryant, SD. After graduating high school, Hazel went on to obtain her teaching degree and taught grades 1-8 at a country school before becoming a homemaker and mother of five children. She raised her four daughters and one son while farming.  

Hazel was a loving and devoted mother to her five children and was always involved in their activities. She was a 4-H leader for many years. Hazel was a seamstress and baker and also enjoyed many hobbies, including reading, quilting, and embroidery work. Hazel loved playing cards and table games with a version of Canasta known as “Hand & Foot” being a favorite.  She loved playing Scrabble as well, and at the age of 97 was very hard to beat!  She was known in the family as the “Scrabble Queen” for her love of Scrabble and the “Casino Queen” for her love of Black Jack and the occasional slot machine! Hazel was a long time resident of Watertown, SD, where she lived independently until the age of 97 when she moved to Avantara, Watertown, in April of 2024. 

Hazel received a commendation from Governor Daugaard in 2013 for her part in saving many lives when a fire broke out in the apartment complex where she resided. Without hesitation or any concern for her own safety, she ran from door to door, alerting fellow residents and pulling fire alarms. While Hazel remained calm throughout, she was left without a home but walked away without a scratch in her nightgown and robe carrying her purse and her cane. Every other possession was destroyed in the fire.  

Hazel  is survived by her four daughters, Dorothy (Marlin) Borns, of Omaha, NE; Marilyn (Dean) Borns, of Watertown, SD; Sherry (Roger) Stormo, of Council Bluffs, IA, and Gwen Kranz, of Ft. Myers’s, FL, and one son Melvin (Ronda) Thompson, of South Shore, SD.  She was the cherished  Grandma or Grams to 14 grandchildren, 37 great grandchildren and 26 great great grandchildren. Survivors also include one brother, Dale (LouAnn) Everson, of Hayti, SD; one sister, Lucille Buri, of Watertown, SD, and many nieces, nephews and special friends.  

She was preceded in death by her parents and one sister.

In lieu of flowers those who wish to remember Hazel in a special way may provide gifts in her memory to Avantara Watertown and Prairie Lakes Hospice.

A special thank you to Nikki Schaeffer, Avantara Watertown and Prairie Lakes Hospice for your loving kindness and care of Hazel. 

Arrangements by Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel www.crawfordosthus.com Watertown and Hayti

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