Hazel G. Carson, age 97, of Huron, formerly of Wolsey, died on Sunday, September 5, 2010 at the SunQuest Healthcare Center in Huron, SD.

Her Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Thursday, September 9, 2010 at the First Presbyterian Church in Wolsey, SD with burial at the Wolsey Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 2-8 p.m.,Wednesday, September 8, 2010, at the Welter Funeral Home in Huron, SD, with the family present from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday night , and a prayer service to begin at 7:00 p.m., or one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday.

Hazel Georgia Shirey Carson was born November 4, 1912, in Des Moines, Iowa, to Mary Florence Buckstead and George McRae. When she was 4, she moved to Irene, S.D., to live with her maternal grandparents, Johanna (Petersen) and Lars C. (Christensen) Buckstead. They ran a dairy and Hazel delivered milk and herded cattle. Hazels mother later married George Shirey and Hazels last name was changed to Shirey.

She was baptized and confirmed on May 15, 1932, at the East Lutheran Church in Irene. She graduated from school in Irene in 1930. In her 90s, she could still sing her lines from her eighth-grade performance as Queen of the May, a May Day celebration. She loved music and loved to sing and to dance. I loved to dance. Id rather dance than eat!

On December 26, 1934, she married Donald M. Carson at Parker, S.D. He met his Waterloo when he met me, she often said. To this union, five children were born: Donald Earl, Carol, Mary Ethel, Connie, and Linda.

The family made their home in Wolsey, where they owned and operated the local pool hall and duckpin bowling alley. They later started Carson Locker and operated it for more than 20 years.

Upon moving to Wolsey, Hazel joined the First Presbyterian Church, where she served as an Elder and sang in choir. She was also Sunshine chairman for the United Presbyterian Women and at the Wolsey Senior Center. Hazel was also an active member of the American Legion Auxiliary and Eastern Star at Mizpah Chapter 9. She worked part time at Carson Locker until her retirement.

Hazel and Don enjoyed many years together at their cabin on Clitherall Lake, Minn., where they had many special friends and where generations of their family continue to treasure fond memories.

One of her gifts was her ability to stand between the outside and the inner domain of home and children, protecting them against real and imagined dangers. She had a way of seizing small adversities and making them into adventures. This was done particularly through her gift for storytelling. Entertainment (flying houses and mischievous mice), instruction, consolation and distraction were provided in these stories for all who needed them.

Hazel was a social butterfly, who enjoyed visiting with her many friends. She demonstrated her love for people through her activities, phone calls, letters and cards, and heartfelt prayers.

Hazel loved the Lord and was a faithful servant throughout her lifetime. Her unwavering faith, strong constitution and joyful heart served as inspiration to all who knew her. As part of living her strong Christian faith, Hazel had the capacity to transform the world for those she loved. Her spirit will live forever in the hearts of those who loved her.

Hazel is survived by: her daughters, Carol (Sherrill) Spencer, Alamogordo, NM; Mary Ethel Houck, Wolsey, SD; Connie (Larry) Fuller, Clitherall, MN; and Linda Payer, North Sioux City, SD; nine grandchildren: Sandra Spencer, Fargo, ND; , Jennifer (Jesse) Osborn, Clear Lake, SD; Steven Carson Spencer, Kathy (Scott) Rowen, Wolsey, SD; Rhonda (Kenny) Soderlin, Martin, SD; Donene (Dan) Kirkegaard, Mitchell, SD; Sherry (Dave) Bordewyk, Brookings, SD; Darcy (Jeff) Fuller, Sioux Falls, SD; and Edward (Janelle) Payer, Winnebago, NE; many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; one brother, LaRae (Roxanne) Jensen, Sioux Falls; and many nieces and nephews.

Hazel was preceded in death by her husband, Donald M. Carson in 1977; her son, Donald Earl Carson in 1962; her son-in-law William H. Houck in 2008; her parents; two-stepfathers; her brother Russell Shirey; and an infant sister, Garnet.