Hazel Mahone, age 100, of Huron, SD, died Tuesday, April 13, 2010, at Violet Tschetter Memorial Home.

Her funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, April 22, at First United Methodist Church with burial at Riverside Cemetery.

Visitation will be Wednesday from 1-8 p.m. at Welter Funeral Home with family present from 6-8 p.m.; or Thursday morning one hour prior to the service at the church.

Hazel Mahone not only lived a life long in years, but a life filled with service to others, global adventures, enterprise, and self-improvement. Hazel loved God, people, nature, beautiful things, and lived full of refinement and joyfulness.

Hazel Marie Warren, daughter, of Jerry and Carrie (Simpson) Warren, was born on January 7, 1910, in Huron, SD. She attended Lincoln Elementary School, graduated from Huron High School, two years at Huron College, and later graduated after one year of training at the College of Cosmetology in Sioux Falls, SD.

At the age of 22, Hazel demonstrated a pioneering spirit of female entrepreneurship. She started her cosmetology business in 1932 and groomed the women of Huron for 45 years.

Hazel was born with the gift of song. At an early age, she studied voice with Beryn Griffith in Huron for several years. In 1949 and 1950, she studied voice at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music under Rita Volk, a renowned Turkish teacher who exposed Hazel to classical music, including Opera. Hazel was a life-long member of First United Methodist Church One of her greatest joys was singing in the First Methodist Church Choir for 52 years.

On October 4, 1952, Hazel married William P. Mahone. Their 20 years together were full of enrichments. They shared wonderful years of travel and service in the community.

Hazel was also a member of the Business and Professional Womens Club (B.P.W.) and for 28 years she was active in every facet of this organization. The highlight was in 1973 when Hazel was awarded Business and Professional Woman of the Year in the city of Huron. Another organization in which Hazel gave many years of service was the International Toastmistress, a self-improvement organization. Some of Hazels most fun times were her weekly bridge games where she often bid a short club.

With an in-depth desire to see the world, Hazel traveled to 82 countries and islands. She went from the top of the world, a Himalayan expedition - Mt. Everest - to the bottom, Australia and New Zealand. She traversed the Amazon, Nile, and Yangtze Rivers. She described her trip to the Holy Land as the most touching experience. Hazel was renowned for her travel logs (estimated to be more than 100), which she shared after each trip. Many of Hazels memoirs and artifacts are now in the South Dakota Historical Society in Pierre, SD.

Hazel was devoted to helping others both in her local community and throughout the world. After her retirement, Hazel volunteered in nursing homes and befriended many in the community. She was a hostess in many areas of the hospital as a Pink Lady.

Hazel loved fishing, hunting, and bird watching. For ten years she was an avid gardener, showing first place ribbons from the state fair. Hazel wanted to be remembered for My love and concern for people. Buildings, cathedrals, palaces, ruins all were important, but of primary importance are the people who occupied the buildings. All I want to do is be nice to people.

On her 100th birthday, an Open House was held for Hazel, with many relatives and friends in attendance. Hazel was quoted as saying, I havent made a big splash in the river of life. I just throw in a few pebbles to keep the water moving.

Hazel made her transition on Tuesday, April 13, 2010, at the age of 100 years, three months, six days.

She is survived by her sister, Beryl Vincson of Chicago, IL; niece, Jacquelyn Vincson of Chicago, IL; nephew, Robert Vincson of Chicago, IL; other great nieces, great nephews, and a host of friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, William Mahone; her brother, Alfred Glenn Warren; and two sisters, Ethel Griggs, and Alma Harris.