Hazel returned to her Father in heaven and her late husband of 69 years Gustav Becker, Nov. 27, 2016, at the age of 88. It is appropriate that she and her husband both left this world on a Sunday. They loved the Lord and served him together throughout their lives as devout Christians and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Hazel was born Nov. 14, 1928, in Aberdeen, Idaho to Angus Franklin Pierce and Cornelia Hiatt Taylor Pierce. She always spoke of Aberdeen as home and cherished her memories of that area. She grew up there on a farm within a loving and very musically talented family. She and other siblings played the saw and she was an accomplished pianist and self-taught organist. She played the organ in the LDS Seattle Temple for years and in her own church congregation up until the last several years of her life. But just three months before her passing was playing Christmas carols on the piano at home.
Hazel and Gustav (Ike) Becker married Feb. 21, 1944, and two sons, Barry and Blake were born to Hazel. Both sons loved and respected their mother very much. Barry spoke of her as a woman “without guile”, gentle, loving, accepting, charitable and truly interested in others. Never an unkind thought entered her heart and she never spoke negatively about others.
Hazel’s family moved to Central Washington when Ike became water master during the development of the Columbia Basin Irrigation Project. Ike’s work and promotions took them to several Washington areas until they landed in the Seattle area. They enjoyed Bellevue, WA and witnessed its growth over many years.
After her companion’s passing at the age of 94 ½ years old in 2013, Hazel agreed to live with her son Barry and wife Taffee in Fort Worth, Texas in July 2015. A grandson Kevin, who had dutifully cared for Hazel and Ike over many years, moved to Fort Worth as well for a year and a half to start his life. It was a blessing to Hazel that her son Blake, wife Mina and one of their daughter’s with four children were already living in the area just north, so there were many times over the 16 months all were able to spend time together.
The year 2016 was a difficult health year for Hazel but she always tried to find the silver lining. She and her widowed sister Ramona talked almost every night for a very long time, sometimes singing songs together they remembered, recalling family memories, sharing scriptures of hope and tucking each other in. She enjoyed Skyping with her brother Stanley and his wife Doris also, along with phone visits.
Hazel passed peacefully Thanksgiving weekend at home with family near her. She leaves a legacy of love, survived by son Barry and his wife Taffee, son Blake and his wife Mina, 9 grandchildren, 4 granddaughters-in-law, 21 great grandchildren, sister Ramona Anderson, brother Stanley Pierce and many other loved family members and friends.
Thanks for reading! Read more in this week's print edition.Subscribe Today! |