The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

Hazel Ruth Brockway passed away on March 26, 2014 just shy of her 95th birthday at Hospice Care Center in Longview, Washington.

She was born in Pierson, Michigan on April 14, 1919 to Gladys and Jacob Carpenter. In her early years, Hazel's family moved from Michigan to Wisconsin by horse and wagon then to Grand Rapids, Minnesota by car. She attended rural one room schools in the Grand Rapids area.

Hazel married her neighbor and childhood sweetheart Jerald Brockway in Grand Rapids on September 30th 1939. While raising their four children they lived in several small, rural areas in northern Minnesota before moving to Skamokawa, Washington where they lived until their retirement. They made many lifelong friends, and Hazel enjoyed being a member of the Mentor Club.

Hazel loved spending time with her friends, children, and grandchildren. She and Jerry also enjoyed traveling around the United States in their motorhome, always returning home from their trips with humorous stories and exciting adventures. One of their favorite trips each winter was to Rockport, Texas where she enjoyed cooking at Western Horizons Campgrounds clubhouse. Each Thanksgiving she would roast up to 20 turkeys for the campground as well as baking her famous mouthwatering apple pies and butter horns. She was a master quilter, crocheter, and knitter, creating gifts and surprises for her children and grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband Jerry, three brothers, four sisters, three grandchildren, and many close friends.

Surviving Hazel are her four children whom she cared for greatly and passed on the secrets to a happy life: Terry and Howard Cook of Chelatchie, WA; Donna and Tom Horton of Rapid City, SD; Ken and Karen Brockway of Brinnon, WA; Jeanne (Brockway) Struthers and Jim Morgan of Castle Rock, WA. Also surviving her are 10 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren as well as many friends and other relatives across the United States.

A family service will be held at Remer, Minnesota in September.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Community Hospice, P.O. Box 2067, Longview, Washington. Dahl Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.