Hazel Darline Gaston

Hazel Darline (Fry) Gaston, age 92, was born on January 10, 1930 in Barada, NE to Cecil and Grace (Edwards) Fry and went home to be with Jesus on Friday, September 2, 2022.  Her family lived in small towns in SE Nebraska and NE Kansas until moving to Hebron when she was twelve, southeast of Gaston's Hill (SE of the Gaston farm).  Summers were spent playing softball in the field between the Gaston and Fry farms.  When Hazel got tired of her brother Bud and Don Gaston always being up to bat, she tripped Don as he rounded second.  The Gaston boys, her sister Betty and Hazel would load up in Bud's Model A and go to many dances around the area and into the theatre.  Hazel's first date with Don was to a picture show in Hebron after he had returned from WWII.  He walked her home as she was living with a family in town while she was in school.  Hazel said she knew they were meant to be.

Hazel graduated from Hebron High School in May 1948 and was united in marriage to Donald J Gaston on June 3, 1948.  To this 67 year union were born three sons and a daughter.  The couple lived on the Gaston farm, Lincoln, Belvidere and many other places until retiring from the Hardy Co-op as Don was the general manager and Hazel always his trusty bookkeeper at every grain elevator they worked.   During their time at the Hardy Coop they enjoyed many trips.  While they traveled to many places in the US, Mexico and Caribbean, she said Hawaii was her favorite.  Don and Hazel continued to travel in retirement and spent 17 winters in Apache Junction, AZ enjoying golf and square dancing with many friends and her sister Vi and husband.  Hazel was thankful for the many years spent in Hardy and the good friends they established from living there.  A couple years after retirement in 1987 the couple moved back to Hebron.  In January 2017 Hazel moved to Sioux Falls, SD and lived at Prince of Peace Retirement Community.  The family is grateful for all the loving care she received as she moved throughout the facility.

Hazel was a member of the Ladies Legion Auxiliary, Women's Church Group and First Community Church, Hebron, NE.  You always knew when Hazel was around as all you had to do was listen for her laugh.  Hazel had a loving spirit and was a social butterfly.  She had a way of brightening someone's day just by her presence.  She enjoyed sewing, traveling, camping, fishing, square dancing, spirited card games, and family gatherings.  She especially loved spending time with her entire family and could not get enough of her grandchildren.

Hazel was preceded in death by her parents Cecil and Grace; husband Donald; siblings Wanda Caswell, Francis (aka Bud) (Letha) Fry, Betty (Kenneth) Krakow, Violette (Dwayne) Anderson, Gordon (Alice) Fry, Max Miller; and nephews Glenn Miller, Robert Fry and niece Carolyn Reeve; In-Laws Joseph and Bessie Gaston, Harold (Vivian) Gaston, Dale (Rose) Gaston, Lyle (Punjab) and Merlin Gaston.

Survivors include her children Michael (wife Sharon) of Ames, IA, Pat of Lewellen, NE, Kent (wife June) of Sioux Falls, SD, and Josie Harmacek (husband Gary) of Sioux Falls, SD; grandchildren Todd (wife Kim), Becki (husband John) Wise, Melissa Jones, Erick (wife Erin),  Katie Sheets, Christie (husband Mike) Roberts, Samuel (wife Alyssa), Taylor and Trevin Harmacek; 20 great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild; Sister-in-law Paula McGinnes of Hebron, NE; many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Hazel’s family is grateful for having shared in her life journey.   We take great comfort and peace in knowing she is with Jesus in heaven and we will see her again.

Visitation will be held with the family present at the Price Funeral Home, 210 South 3 ^rd Street, Hebron, NE on Friday, September 9, 2022, from 5:00-7:00 p.m.  Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 10, 2022, at the First Community Church in Hebron, Nebraska.   Interment at Rose Hill Cemetery in Hebron.

Memorials will go to First Community Church in Hebron.  Price Funeral Home of Hebron is assisting the family with arrangements.   www.priceurbauerahrendts.com.