Hazel Marie Reaksecker

Hazel Marie Reaksecker passed on June 25th, 2020. She was 98.5 years young. Hazel was born on December 21, 1921 in Yuma County, Colorado to Earl Remus and Florence Evangeline Moberly. Also born to this union were Julia, Beulah, and Kenneth. Earl had 4 older children from a previous marriage: Willard, Ellen, Irene, and Thomas. Earl and Florence divorced, and he remarried adding two more children: Jerry and Mattie. Hazel was the last survivor of the ten Moberly children. The family relocated to Cedaredge, Colorado when Hazel was in 2nd grade. They later settled in Grand Junction, Colorado where Hazel finished growing up.
In 1940, Melvin was born and in 1942 Jim was born by Hazel’s first marriage. During World War II Hazel worked at Hill Field in Utah repairing airplanes for the war effort. She was a true Rosie the Riveter. This determination and grit would serve her well throughout her life. Following the war, she returned to Crawford, Colorado. Her sister Ellen introduced her to Jim Reaksecker. They were married October 26, 1945. They had Judy in 1946, William in 1949 and Nancy in 1952.
In 1950 they moved to Olathe, Colorado to farm. Their home became the social hub for family and friends for many years. They started with 80 acres and by the time Jim retired they were farming 160 acres. They farmed corn, beans, onions, potatoes, and hay. Besides working on the farm Hazel was a certified Dietary Nutritionist. She worked at various nursing homes and hospitals in Montrose and Delta. In 1980, Jim and Hazel sold the farm and built a home in the Pea Green area. Hazel then worked as a cook for the senior meal sites in Olathe and Delta. With the passing of Jim in 1984 Hazel spent time in California with family. She then joined the Peace Corp in 1986 where she spent some time in Jamaica. Hazel then returned to the Delta area and took up her love of quilting. She stayed active at the Senior Center and frequently visited with family. She loved any adventure that took her into the mountains. In 2017, she entered care at Colorow Nursing home in Olathe. She left a lasting impact on many. She loved bingo and going on scenic drives. She continued to quilt, by hand stitching blocks of elephants, rabbits, birds, butterflies, and dragon flies up to the very end. She was never a fan of being idle. She will be greatly missed by many for her spunky spirit and her forever young approach to life.
She is survived by her children: Melvin (Patricia) Reaksecker of Eckert, CO, Jim (Maria) Reaksecker of Misamis, Philippines, Judy (Roger) Thompson of Delta, CO, William (Bonnie) Reaksecker of Delta, CO and Nancy Reaksecker of Fruita, CO. She is also survived by 18 grandchildren, 37 great grandchildren and 17 great, great grandchildren.