Hazel Lillian Stiehm

July 6, 2016, Hazel Lillian Stiehm left us to be with Jesus Christ and Howard, her husband of 71 years.

She was preceded in death by parents, Nicholas and Della Gerke of West Allis, WI; brother, John; and sisters, Dorothy and Ruth.

Hazel is survived by son, Jeffrey, Green Bay; daughter, Sandra (Robert) Quigley, Green Bay; grandchildren, Michael Quigley, Atlanta, GA, and Jeffrey (Tina) Quigley, Oakton, VA; great-grandchildren, Violet, Hazel, Grace, and Cooper Quigley.

At an early age, Hazel sang solos in her church choir. She graduated in 1936, from West Allis High School after 3½ years. Hazel was called “Sunny” by family and friends because of her fun, upbeat, happy personality. She rode horses, golfed, ran races, was a cheerleader and played trombone in high school. Hazel was a loving, generous, respectful, thoughtful, affectionate woman; a true friend, with her heart on her sleeve. She loved meeting new people, greeting them with a smile that warmed many lives.

Hazel was a proud home-maker, a Girl Scout Troop leader and Cub Scout Den Mother, and for over 60 years, a member of Eastern Star. A daily highlight for Hazel was the opportunity to cook for her husband and children-she cooked love into all her delicious, inexpensive meals.

Hazel watched over the family budget; she cut coupons and caught the sales. “Don’t buy it unless you can pay cash.” That included cars: “If you have to make payments, it’s out of your price range.” Growing up during the Depression, she knew just the way that would get the most out of every penny. Open-faced lard and raw onion sandwiches were a favorite of hers, but not her children. Her mother taught Hazel many useful things, including how to turn a shirt collar that was getting a little ragged, how to turn a man’s old shirt into a child’s shirt and how to can food. Many years later, traveling from Wisconsin to California, all the food they ate on the trip Hazel had canned.

Hazel could spell f-r-u-g-a-l: Therefore, her children grew up free from want and she and Howard could afford to be generous with friends and family.

After retiring (a school teacher and a secretary), the couple enjoyed homes in Wisconsin and Florida, and stimulated by their curiosity and love for adventure, traveled across America and the world. Her husband declared, “She’s a financial genius!”

Over the course of her long life, Hazel worked in various capacities at her church and volunteered for many organizations. She and Howard were instrumental in starting Mount Calvary Lutheran Church in Rothschild, WI. Both found inspiration for daily living in the Ten Commandments.

An eager and avid reader, Hazel was not a fan of TV. She read newspapers and books and passed this love of words and ideas to her children.

Per Hazel’s wishes, there will be no funeral ceremony. Hazel will have her cremated remains joined with Howard’s, the love of her life, and interred at a future date in Evergreen Cemetery, Johnson Creek, WI. Malcore (East) Funeral Home is serving the family.

A special thank you is extended to Home Instead, especially caregivers, Vickie and Dee Dee; also, to Aurora Hospice nurses for the thoughtful, loving care with which you treated our mom.

Just at the moment when someone at my side says: “There, she is gone!” There are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout: “Here she comes!”