Hazel Burgert

 Funeral Services for Hazel May Burgert, 94, Lawrence, will be 3:00 p.m. Monday, November 12, 2012 at Central United Methodist Church.  Burial will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery.  She died Thursday, November 8, 2012 at Presbyterian Manor.

Hazel was born June 21, 1918 in Brooklyn, IA, the daughter of Albert Jay and Nellie Viola (Phillips) Leeper.  Her family moved to Elvira, a farming community in Clinton County, Iowa.  After attending the Teacher’s College at Cedar Falls, she returned to teach in a one-room schoolhouse for six years.  She and her sister then joined the WAAC (Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps) from 1943-1945.  She was recently interviewed and filmed for the Library of Congress Veterans’ History Project, as part of the history of women in WWII.  She met Lloyd Burgert while in the service, and returned to Lawrence to work with him in the shoe repair shop on Massachusetts Street until 1987.
 
Hazel was a charter member of the Evangelical United Brethren Church on 15th and Massachusetts Street, which is now Central United Methodist Church.  She remained active in that congregation until 2010. She taught Sunday School and served on the administrative board, among other things.  She was active in both Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts.  She was a member and officer of Friendship Rebekah Lodge 754 in Lawrence, and Minerva Rebekah Lodge 146 in Eudora, receiving one of the highest honors bestowed by the companion Oddfellows Lodge.  She volunteered at Lawrence Memorial Hospital for ten years, with special interest in educating diabetes patients.
 
She was married to Lloyd L. Burgert on November 11, 1945, Veterans’ Day, in Albuquerque, NM.  He preceded her in death on April 30, 1994.
 
She is survived by her children and their spouses and families, Suzanne and Norman Brahm, New York, Tim and Janeal Burgert of Utah, and James and Doris Burgert of Wichita.  She had eight grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by four sisters and two brothers.
 
The family will greet friends from 7-8:30 p.m. Sunday, November, 11, 2012 at the Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence.
 
In lieu of flowers, memorials in her name may be given to Central United Methodist Church, American Diabetes Association, or to LINK (Lawrence Interdenominational Nutrition Fund) and sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary.
 
 

7 Condolences

  1. Dennis & Mary Burgert on November 10, 2012 at 6:28 pm

    Aunt Hazel holds a special place in the Burgert family and in our hearts. We have some wonderful memories of Lloyd, Hazel and our cousins. God Bless. Dennis and Mary
    Burgert Afton, VA



  2. Nita Merriweather on November 11, 2012 at 4:55 pm

    Dear Suzanne, Tim and Jay,
    Your mother was a dear person who was kind and thoughtful as well as hard working and generous with her time for others. Although I have not lived in Lawrence for many years, when I came to Central Church she always greeted warmly and made me feel welcome. She was a good friend to my mother, Frances Cleveland…they worked together for many years both in the church kitchen and in the children’s classrooms. Please accept my sympathy for the loss of your mother and a remarkable person to all who knew her. My love and sympathy to all your family,
    Nita Merriweather, Dallas, TX



  3. Bud and Dot Johnson on November 11, 2012 at 8:04 pm

    Dear family, you mother was one of my main Sunday School teachers at Central Church, and you kids were the first children I ever babysat. Your mother was our very dear friend and will be missed by all. Love, Bud and Dot Johnson.



  4. Bud and Dot Johnson on November 11, 2012 at 8:05 pm

    Dear family, you mother was one of my main Sunday School teachers at Central Church, and you kids were the first children I ever babysat. Your mother was our very dear friend and will be missed by all. Love, Bud and Dot Johnson.



  5. Wanda (Bray) Samuels on November 11, 2012 at 8:08 pm

    I wanted to express my sympathy to your family for your loss.



  6. Brad and Ida Johnson and family on November 11, 2012 at 8:11 pm

    We wanted to let you know how special Lloyd and Hazel were to us. Brad was their paperboy when he was young, and grew up knowing them through Central Church. Hazel was always loving, and was obviously a Godly woman. Lloyd has been missed, and Hazel will now be missed too. God bless you all, and our prayers are with you.



  7. Charles and Laurie McLane- Higginson on November 13, 2012 at 7:36 am

    We lived next door to Hazel and Lloyd for about 5 years on Vermont Street. They were very kind to us young folks that were just starting out in life. Hazel was always trying to help us and encouraged us to join their church. She was a lovely neighbor.
    Our deepest sympathies to you.



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