Hazel M. Tilton

November 10, 1916 - February 4, 2017

Hazel Marie Tilton, 100, of Humboldt passed away peacefully at Humboldt County Memorial Hospital on February 4, 2017. Funeral services will be 11:30 a.m. Saturday, February 11, 2017 at the Faith United Methodist Church in Humboldt with Rev. Alberta Ervin officiating. Visitation will be two hours before services. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Humboldt County Memorial Hospital Long Term Care or Faith United Methodist Church. The Mason-Lindhart Funeral Home of Humboldt is assisting the family. Hazel Marie Happy was born November 10, 1916 in Waverly, Kansas, the daughter of Walter and Lucinda (Compton) Happy. She was raised and educated in Waverly and at the age of 19 moved to Iowa. She worked as a housekeeper before taking a position with a real estate office in Manson. While at a dance in Rolfe, Iowa, Hazel met Wilbur Tilton and the couple were married on February 21, 1939. They made their home in Eagle Grove before returning to the Rolfe area to begin their farming life together. After Wilbur served in World War II, they moved to a farm near Fort Dodge. Later they settled and raised their family on the farm near Livermore. Wilbur passed away in 1966 and Larry took over the farming, with Hazel continuing to raise the family on the homestead. Hazel was hardworking and always busy growing food, canning and freezing, and raising chickens for the family. She later moved into Humboldt after the children were grown and worked part-time at the Humboldt Hospital and area schools. Her love of rural living triggered her return to their Bode farmstead for several years before moving into Springvale Independent Living in 2005, She moved to the long-term care unit of Humboldt County Memorial Hospital in 2010. Hazel was such a selfless person. She was very caring and always put others’ needs ahead of her own. In return, she was loved by all who knew her. Family came first and her face lit up when she was around children. She was a member of Faith United Methodist Church and active in the United Methodist Women’s group. Hazel was a great cook and also enjoyed sewing, gardening, playing games with the family, cards and bingo. She also had fun on an occasional road trip to the casinos. Hazel is survived by her daughter, Shirley Ewing of Fremont, NE, son Kenneth (Lorraine) Tilton of St. Ansgar, IA, daughter Sandra (Robert) Tharp of Milo, IA, daughter Judy (Robert) Zeidler of Davenport, IA, daughter-in-law Deb Tilton of Livermore, IA, fourteen grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren, and 4 great-great grandchildren. Preceding Hazel in death were her parents, Walter and Lucinda Happy; her husband, Wilbur Tilton; son, Douglas Tilton; son, Larry Tilton; daughter, Debbie Petersen; brother, Harold Happy; brother, Walter Happy; sister, Mary Woolington; great-granddaughter, Amy Boudonck; and great-great-grandson, Jonathon Boudonck. The Mason-Lindhart Funeral Home of Humboldt is assisting the family.