Hazel Irene Back

Hazel Back was born in Pingree, North Dakota to Alfred and Anna Hanson on February 25th, 1922. She had three brothers and seven sisters, six of whom are deceased. When she was two years old they moved to Glenham, South Dakota where she went to country school. She graduated from Mobridge High School in 1940 and went to the teacher's college in Aberdeen, South Dakota. After that, Hazel taught country school and town school for twelve years. Then she attended Lutheran Bible Institute from 1954-1955, after which Hazel married Christian Back on June 4th, 1955 at Norway Lutheran Church by Glenham, South Dakota. Together they moved to several places, Pipestone, Minnesota for six years, Michigan, North Dakota for one year, Velva, North Dakota for one year, Staples, Minnesota for six years, and Goodhue, Minnesota for twelve years. Following that, they moved to Red Wing, Minnesota, where Hazel worked as a food supervisor at the Red Wing Technical College. She also taught Sunday school at First Covenant Church and helped with many Christian organizations. After retirement, Christian and Hazel Back went to Japan for two years and taught at the Christian Academy in Tokyo where Hazel worked in the food service and Christian taught industrial arts. The Backs have five adult children; Brad Back, Barbara (Robert) Owsley, Brian Back, Barry (Laura) Back, and Beverly (David) Schneider, thirteen grandchildren; Joseph Back, David Back, Luke (Wendi) Owsley, Elizabeth Owsley, Caleb Owsley, Benjamin (Zoe) Back, Katrina Back, Jonathan (fiancée Briana) Back, Nathaniel Back, Samuel Schneider, Abigail Schneider, Aaron Johannes Schneider, and Rachael Schneider, and one great grandson, Milo Back. Hazel is also survived by her siblings; Vivian (Richard) Schlomer, Jennie (Norris) Carlson, Agnes (Gerhardt) Schlomer, and Clarence Hanson.

Hazel was preceded in death by her husband, Christian, parents, and siblings; Mable Schlomer, Hilma Walters, Myrtle Schlomer, Violet Espeland, Arnold Hanson, and Vernon Hanson.

On the eve of Thursday, August 11th, 2011 surrounded by her children singing her favorite hymns, Hazel went to be with her Lord.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m., Monday, August 15, 2011 at First Covenant Church in Red Wing with Reverend Timothy Anderson presiding. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m., Sunday, August 14, 2011 at Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel and also for one hour prior to the service on Monday at church. Casketbearers and Honorary Casketbearers will be Benjamin Back, Jonathan Back, Nathaniel Back, Luke Owsley, Caleb Owsley, Samuel Schneider, Aaron Johannes Schneider, David Back, and Joseph Back. Burial will be at Oakwood Cemetery in Red Wing. Memorials are preferred to the First Covenant Church, Sunday School Program. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com