Hazel Eleanor Claypool passed away Dec. 31, 2008.
She was 98 years old, soon to be 99 and trying so hard to make it to 100! Hazel was the daughter of Carl and Hulda (Bolin) Johnson, born Feb. 4, 1910, at the family farm near Boyceville, Wis. Her youthful years were spent milking cows and pitching hay for her father, and learning homemaking skills from her mother. On March 16, 1930, Hazel married Herbert A. Karlen. They worked the farm and managed Grandpa Jake’s sawmill until 1942 at which time they moved to Havre, Mont., where Herb was employed by the Great Northern Railroad. Hazel learned to clean and repair fur coats under the supervision of the well-known Havre businessman, F. A. Buttrey. Herb passed away in 1972; Hazel remained in Havre. She was an honored 50-year member of the Havre United Methodist Church. Hazel and Emmett Claypool were married in 1982. They enjoyed card games with their friends and traveling to Arizona for the winter. After Emmett passed away, Hazel moved to Hillcrest Retirement Center in Bozeman moving on to Aspen Pointe when Hillcrest closed. Aspen Pointe was Hazel’s extended family. Hazel was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters; one brother; and husbands, Herb and Emmett. She is survived by two children: daughter, Pat (Bill) Oriet; and son, U.S. Navy Capt. (retired) James (Shirley) Karlen; grandchildren, Lt. Col. Wm. (Susan) Oriet, Jan Oriet (Richard McIlvoy), Jim (Barbara) Oriet, Julie Oriet, Robert (Donna) Oriet and J. Mark (Jennifer) Karlen, MD; great-grandchildren, Meghann (Ryan) Rigmaiden, Jonathan Oriet, Erin (Anthony) Hutchings, Jase Oriet, and Sam and Reagan Karlen, and a very special young lady who arrived Oct. 27, 2008, Allison Elizabeth Rigmaiden, Hazel’s first greatgreat- grandchild. Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, Jan. 9, 2009, at Aspen Pointe. Hazel asked to be buried with Herb at Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery when the weather is warm and the family can visit. Her wish will be granted. Memorials may be sent to The Wellness Center, 1820 W. Lincoln St. Ste. B, Bozeman, MT 59715; or to the Hillcrest Senior Living Endowment, Bozeman Deaconess Foundation, 931 Highland Blvd. Ste. 3200, Bozeman, MT 59715. Arrangements are in the care of Dokken-Nelson Funeral Service.
