1922 - First 4-year graduating class. Back, l-r: Irene Burke, Florence Dirks, Veva Rockafellow, Margaret Martin. Middle - Dorothy Rockafellow, Dave Erickson, Herman Karasek, Robert Martin and Hazel Shoemaker. Front - Rose Schoessler. For larger view of photo, see YEARBOOKS

Hazel Shoemaker Norton 1902-1994

Funeral services for Hazel C. Norton, 91, Oacoma, were held at 2pm, Monday, March 14, at the United Church of Christ in Chamberlain, with the Reverend Kenwyn Sykora officiating.  She died Friday, March 11, 1994 at Mid Dakota Hospital.

Hazel was born Nov. 26, 1902 on the family homestead in Lyman County near Reliance to Clyde and Olive (Young) Shoemaker.  She attended country school and graduated from Reliance High School in 1922.

On July 1, 1922, Hazel married Herbert Norton on American Island, between Oacoma and Chamberlain.  They farmed and ranched northeast of Reliance until 1945, when they moved to Oacoma.  Hazel worked at local motels doing maid service and also cared for children for various families.  She worked at the Montgomery Ward catalog store for many years.

She was a member of the O.D.T. club of Reliance and also the womens circle of the United Church of Christ.

Hazel spent all of her life in Lyman County with the exception of the past three months which she spent at Mid Dakota Hospital in the extended care unit and five weeks at Sunset Valley Haven Nursing Home in Chamberlain.

Hazel is survived by her husband, Herb, Oacoma, three sons: Gene of Miller, Jack of Centralia, Washington, and Ray of Reiliance, and two daughters, Betty Kindopp, Chamberlain, and Shirley Baer, Eugene, Oregon.

She is preceded in death by her parents, one son, two grandchildren, one great-great grandchild, one brother and one sister.

Burial was at Reliance Cemetery.

Wevik Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.