Hazel Stortz

Thursday, September 16, 2021 9:00 pm

Hazel Stortz, age 93, of Decorah, IA, died on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, at Barthell O.E.S home in Decorah.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021 at the First Lutheran Church, 604 West Broadway with Rev. Dennis Niezwaag presiding.  Burial will be in Phelps Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday at the church. The family would like to thank the staff at Barthell O.E.S Home for all the great care and love their mother was shown while she was there.

Hazel Emma Jean (Fretheim) Stortz was born on Dec. 11, 1927 the daughter of Joel and Emma (Monson) Fretheim in Ridgeway. She attended country schools before marrying Robert Stortz on Jan. 15, 1948 at her parents house near Ridgeway. Together they had seven children. Hazel and Robert farmed together and raised their children on a farm north of Decorah. They were dairy and hog farmers as well as having chickens, hay, crops and planted a large garden every year. She also had various jobs as an Avon Lady, with Kirby Vacuum Co., selling Tupperware and with Pamida for a short time. Hazel loved to can vegetables from her garden and bake. She was always baking treats for her family. She loved doing her “chicken chores” and took them very seriously.  Hazel was known as a very kind and loving person. She always had a kind word for everyone she met.

Hazel is survived by her five daughters: Linda Rosen, Minneapolis, MN; Jackie (Phil) Rustad, Decorah, IA; Marsha (Larry) McCabe, Decorah, IA; Jerilyn (Larry) Hageman, Decorah, IA and Janean (Stan) Shimek, Calmar, IA.  Son-in-law: Richard Birdsell, Postville, IA.  Twenty-one grandchildren; thirty-nine great grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren.  Sisters: Doris Schutz, Decorah, IA; Jane Pape, Decorah, IA and Shirley (Lee) Vangsness, Decorah, IA.  Brothers: Joe Fretheim, Cedar Rapids, IA and Emery (Elaine) Fretheim, Decorah, IA along with many nieces and nephews.        She was preceded in death by her husband: Robert Stortz.  Son: Randy Stortz.  Daughter: Marilyn Birdsell.  Grandsons: Joel Bachelder and Cory Hageman.  Great granddaughter: Kari Anderson.  Parents: Joel and Emma (Monson) Fretheim.  Sister: Ruth (Kenneth) Nesset.  Brothers: Jules (Eileen) Fretheim; Lyle (Phyllis) Fretheim; Stanley (Delores) Fretheim and Rev. Ardel Aleson.  Father and mother-in-law: Walter and Luella (Stoskopf) Stortz.  Brother-in-law: Erlin (Agnes) Stortz.  Sister-in-law: Geraldine (Erbie) Steffens.