Hazel Viola Whitney

Hazel Whitney, 97, of Redfield, Iowa passed away on November 22 at the Stuart Community Care Center after a long battle with cancer. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, November 27, 2017 at the United Methodist Church in Redfield with burial at Harper Cemetery near Redfield. Hazel was born at home on December 9, 1919 in Kennedy Station, Iowa to Archie Paul and Evelyn (Clark) Whitney. Hazel graduated from Redfield High School in 1937, qualifying to be a teacher. She first taught at Miller School #7 in Dallas County. Over the years she taught at Bell School Beaver #9, north of Minburn, at Minburn School, Cresco School and Newton School. In 1951 she attended college at the Iowa State Teachers College, now the University of Northern Iowa. After graduation, she taught for 22 years in Cedar Rapids. She spent many summers in Boulder, Colorado pursuing her Master’s in Education from Colorado University. In 1974 she retired to care for her mother in Redfield. Hazel was a member of Nu Alpha Gamma, Delta Kappa Gamma, Theta Alpha Gamma, Dexter United Methodist Church in Redfield, the Cedar Rapids Camera Club for 20 years, she was the secretary for the Dallas County Historical for 13 years, Redfield Library Board Trustee for 12 years, The Genealogical Society in Vermont and Iowa, and she was an officer of the Redfield Women’s Club until the club ceased in 1986. She traveled extensively throughout the United States and Canada. Hazel is survived by her brother, Arnold Whitney of Redfield, Iowa; her nieces, Sue (Bruce) Light of Gowrie, Iowa, Sandy (Curt) Sloan of Center Point, Iowa, Anne (Tony) Dailey of Fort Dodge, Iowa; nephews, Jeff (Aimee) Weideman of Decorah, Iowa and Mitch (Anne) Weideman of Center Point, Iowa; great nieces and nephews, Megan (Light) Kulow, Kevin Light, Nick Sloan, Hannah Sloan, Haley Weideman, Abbey Weideman, Stephanie Dailey and Allison Dailey. Also, 12 cousins residing in Texas, Illinois, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Florida. Hazel was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Dora Weideman (2010); brother-in-law, Jim Weideman (2017) and nephew, Greg Weideman (1976). Hazel touched the lives of many people through her lifetime. We were blessed to have her for so long. She will be deeply missed. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Redfield United Methodist Church or the Redfield Historical Society. Online condolences may be left on this site.