Hazel Anfinson

Hazel Anfinson was born on May 30, 1937 in Cherokee, Iowa to Olaf Johnson and Flossie (Smith) Johnson. She was one of nine children. Hazel attended Cherokee Public Schools until her marriage at 15 years old. She earned her GED while living in Montana.

Hazel married Aloyus Anfinson of Cushing, IA on February 24, 1953 and lived in Cushing for two years while Al served in the Army in Korea. Hazel and Al had two children: a son, Garrett, born in 1954 while his father was in Korea, and a daughter, Gina, born in 1957.

The family moved to Kremlin, Montana in 1959, then moved to Sioux City, Iowa in 1961 where Al taught school and Hazel worked for Bellas Hess Department Store for many years. Through the years she also worked at the Ben Franklin Store, the Grain Elevator in Sergeant Bluff and finally for Target Stores.

In Hazel’s mid-forties, she began a 30 year fight with serious illnesses, many operations, therapies and kidney dialysis.

Hazel and Al spent their summers in Park Rapids, MN for 50 years and spent winters in Phoenix, AZ for 20 years. She was an avid fisherman, enjoyed boating, music, dancing, playing the accordion, riding motorcycles and flying with her husband. She also enjoyed quilting, making jelly and pickle relish and spending time with her family. She was a member of Grace United Methodist Church of Sioux City for many years. At the time of her death, Hazel was a resident of the Frazee Care Center of Frazee, MN.

Hazel was preceded in death by her parents; son, Garrett; brothers, Mitchell Johnson and Russell Johnson and sister, Marthena Scott.

She is survived by her husband, Aloyus; her daughter, Gina Behrendsen (Chris) of Phoenix, AZ; four grandchildren, Jeaneen and Kirby of Dallas, TX, Stephanie and Mike of Sergeant Bluff, IA, Isaac and Star of Phoenix, AZ, and Alanna and Ryan of Phoenix, AZ; ten great-grandchildren; siblings, Viona Henderson, Berniece (David) Stinelli, Jerry (Valentina) Johnson, Ivan (Kathy) Johnson, Marcella (Dan) Moos; and several sisters-in-law.