Hazel Walker-Hite, 91, of New Sharon, passed away Monday afternoon, June 17, 2024, at Hospice of Pella Comfort House. Funeral services were at 10:30 a.m., Friday, June 21, at New Life Fellowship Church in New Sharon. Burial was in Friends Cemetery in New Sharon. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to New Life Fellowship Church or New Sharon Fire and Rescue.
Hazel Lucille Walker-Hite, the daughter of Clarence and Elise Belle (Witt) Tucker, was born Dec. 12, 1932, in Cedar. She attended school in Cedar before graduating from Oskaloosa High School with the Class of 1951. Hazel worked at JC Penney in Oskaloosa, babysat, and cleaned houses. Dec. 22, 1950, Hazel was united in marriage to Keith Walker. To this union four children were born: Linda, Gary, Ronald, and Danny. Hazel stayed home with her children to care for them until her youngest child, Danny, started fourth grade, and then she entered the workforce. She held several jobs, which included the Overall Factory for 16 years, Country Inn Pizza for three years, North Mahaska School for 16 years in the kitchen as a baker, EZ In and EZ Out for five years, and Marty Rickard Photo Studio for five years. She was also an EMT for the New Sharon Fire Department for over nine years.
Aug. 15, 1998, Hazel was married to Donald Eugene Hite at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. He passed away May 28, 2016.
Hazel was a faithful member of New Life Fellowship Church in New Sharon and volunteered as a helper/teacher for Kids for Jesus, GEMS for over 10 years, and Bible school in the summers, and was a member of Faith Circle helping with every funeral luncheon. Hazel organized the food and baked for over 40 years. Hazel enjoyed reading, golfing, playing cards at the Country Club in New Sharon, bowling, playing cards with her friends at their homes, going out to eat, and watching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren in their activities. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and enjoyed cooking once a month at her home with them.
Hazel’s memory will be cherished by her grandchildren Cheinette Van Wyk, Douglas (Renae) Gillam, Jason (Melissa) Wehrle, Keith Wehrle, Mindi (Rick) Dye, Anson Walker, and Amber (David) Bruce; 24 great- grandchildren; 15 great-great-grandchildren; son-in-law Marvin (Ellen) Wehrle; daughters-in-law Nancy Walker and Carol Walker; stepdaughters Carolyn Poe, Marilyn (Bud) Lane, and Beverly (Robert) Gray; sisters-in-law Fern Tucker and Marjorie Tucker; brother-in-law Ed Mitrisin; and stepgrandchildren, stepgreat-grandchildren, and step-great-great-grandchildren along with many nieces, nephews, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husbands Keith Walker and Donald Hite; her four children Linda Wehrle, Gary Walker, Ronald Walker, and Danny Walker; a grandson Nicholas Walker; a great-grandson Ben Van Wyk; and her 10 siblings: Darlene Comstock, Clarence Tucker, Maxine Fisher, Charles Tucker, William Tucker, Mary Curry, Tommy Tucker, Dale Tucker, Marjorie Mitrisin, and Jack Tucker.
