Date of Birth: August 31, 1923
Date of Death: October 6, 2016
Hazel Armbruster of Neudorf, Sask., passed away Thursday, Oct. 6, 2016 at the age of 93 years.
Hazel Irene was born in Neudorf, Sask. to Milton and Eva Holtzman (Wanless). She was the second of four children. She lived her whole life in the town, except for the two years she lived on the farm after she married Bernard Armbruster.
Hazel attended Normal School after high school and then taught all grades in various rural schools in the Neudorf area. Some that we remember include Piller, Carr Hill and South Lorlie.
Hazel married Bernie Armbruster on April 21, 1945 and one son, Kenneth, was born in August of 1949. She went back to teaching at Roadside School when Ken was in Grade 4. When the rural schools amalgamated in 1964, she then taught in Neudorf and Lemberg until retiring in 1978. By then Ken was married to Betty Ann (Scott) and they had three sons. After the passing of her husband Bernie, Hazel continued to live in Neudorf. She went on numerous trips with her brothers, Lorne and Wilf.
Hazel was community-minded. She served on the Housing Authority for 10 years and was on the committee for Neudorf’s 100th anniversary. She had a wonderful memory of the town and many pictures to share. The years went by, and she got to see her three grandsons get married and also became a great-grandmother.
Hazel was devoted to her church her whole life. She gave freely of her time, playing in church for over 60 years and being involved in the women’s group. When the Evangelical church closed in Neudorf, she drove faithfully to Melville for services.
Hazel, at the end, had to leave her home and spend time in St. Peter’s Hospital and nine days in St. Paul Lutheran Home. She entered into eternal life on Oct. 6, 2016.
Hazel was predeceased by her husband, Bernie; sister-in-law, Ruth Holtzman; brother-in-law, Ron Jeffers; and Bernie’s siblings, Carl, Kate, Lena, John and Mary, as well as their spouses.
She is survived by her son, Kenneth (Betty Ann); grandson, Douglas (Jocelyn) and their son, Celyn; grandson, Kent (April) and their children, Brielle, Micah and Kayden; and grandson, Leighton (Danyelle) and their daughter, Hazel (her namesake); her sister, Leona Jeffers; sister-in-law, Eileen Holtzman; brother and sister-in-law, Edward and Betty Armbruster; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Hazel’s funeral service was held Monday, Oct. 17, 2016 at Bethany Evangelical Missionary
Church, Melville, with her grandson, the Rev. Douglas Armbruster, officiating and his wife, Jocelyn Armbruster, as pianist. Doug and Jocelyn sang a special tribute song, “There is a Higher Throne,” and the hymns were, “Leaning On the Everlasting Arms,” “When the Roll is Called Up Yonder”, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” and “When We All Get to Heaven.” The eulogy was presented by grandson Leighton Armbruster and great-granddaughter Brielle Armbruster assisted at the guest book.
Interment took place in the Neudorf Cemetery prior to the funeral with Leighton Armbruster, Danyelle Armbruster, Kent Armbruster, April Armbruster, Jerry Huber and Jeanne Huber acting as pallbearers.
Arrangements were entrusted to Matthews Funeral Home, Melville.
