Hazel Johnson
The funeral service for Hazel Johnson, 93, of Minneota, will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 27, 2023, at Hope Lutheran Church in Minneota. Visitation will be Wednesday, April 26, from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at the Horvath Remembrance Center in Minneota. Visitation will continue on Thursday from 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. at the church. Interment will follow the service at Hope Lutheran Cemetery. A recording of the service will be available at www.horvathfuneralservice.com.
Hazel Mae Karsten was born at home in Lyon County, Iowa, on March 4, 1930, the third of five living children born to LaVella (Beldt) and Ferdinand Karsten. (Two babies died at birth.) Hazel was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church in George, IA. She attended country school through eighth grade in Wheeler Township and graduated as Salutatorian of the class of 1948 from George, Iowa, High School. She then attended business school in Sioux City, IA, in 1949. Hazel went to work at the Gas Company in Sioux Falls, SD, then worked at Sioux Steel Company where storage bins for grain were built.
Hazel was married to Donald Koppien in Duluth, MN, in April of 1951. To this union were born Steven, LaVelle, Michelle and Timothy. Don passed away as the result of an accident in April of 1965. Hazel and her children were living in Benson, MN, at the time. They moved to Minneota in August of 1965 to the house where she lived for more than 50 years.
In June, 1974, she married Dennis D. Johnson who was a retiree of service to our country. He had four children from a previous marriage.
Hazel was employed at the local bank for about 30 years. She was later employed at Fabrics Plus in Marshall for a number of years and sold Mary Kay from 1988 to 2019. She enjoyed sewing and quilting. Hazel was a very active member of Hope Lutheran Church through 2019. She served as Treasurer for many years and helped with "Quilts for Seniors" and was an active "Circle" member.
Hazel died on Sunday, April 23, 2023, at Avera Morningside Heights Care Center in Marshall. She is survived by her children LaVelle (Greg) Mullenberg of Le Sueur, MN, Michelle Koppien (John Schulte) of Sanborn, MN, Timothy (Dee) Koppien of Minneota; step-daughters Terry (Gary) Mercer of Marshall, Chris Bertelt of Morgan, Deneen Carpenter of Cable, WI, and step-son-in-law Rick Carpenter; grandchildren Courtney (Greg) Latzke, Jessica Koppien (Mike) Fox, Abigail Koppien (Gregg) Nemec, Jennifer Koppien (Karl Anderson); great-grandchildren Harlow Latzke, Morgan Moon (Fox) and Liam Nemec; sister Carol Soward of Sioux Falls, SD, step grandchildren, relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, both husbands, son Steven, step-son Bradley, siblings Clifford Karsten, Bertha DeVries, Mary Ellen Stafford, step son-in-law Andy Marriot, three step-grandsons and three great-grandchildren.