Hazel M. Eskola

Hazel Matilda Eskola, age 87 passed away on December 29, 2015 at Oak Crossing TCU in Detroit Lakes, MN. Hazel was born on August 28, 1928 to Samuel and Hilma (Hyrkas) Torma in Green Valley Township. She attended country school until the 8th grade. Hazel was united in marriage to Ernest Eskola on November 3, 1951. The couple moved to Ponsford where they raised their family. She resided there for 62 years until December of 2014, when she moved to Park Rapids due to health reasons. In 1962, she began a career at the Ringer Mfg. Company in Park Rapids where she worked for 18 years. In 1982 she began working at the potato plant in Park Rapids and spent 9 years there. Hazel decided in her middle age to get her GED and was baptized and confirmed into the Lutheran faith. Hazel was a member of the Helping Hand Club, Kozy Klan Homemakers, Diversified Divas Red Hats, Widow Club, Birthday Club, and the Otto Hendrickson American Legion Post 212 Auxiliary where she held various offices including President. She was a 4H leader, served on the Ponsford Centennial committee, was an organizer of blood drives, served as election judge for Carsonville Township and held the office of secretary of the Linnell Cemetery board for 49 years. While she was  a faithful member of the Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Snellman, she organized their smelt fries and hog roasts for many years. She recently became a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Park Rapids.  Hazel also baby sat for the Bette Pachel, Kathy Brock, and Amy and Kyle Erickson families for many years. Hazel spent many years catering meals with her sister Hilma and best friend Bette Pachel. She also spent time knitting, crocheting and making quilts, making sure that each of her grandchildren had at least one of Grandma’s quilts. Hazel is survived by her children: Judy and Randy Lefebvre, Janet and Paul Pearson and Virgil Eskola; her grandchildren: Scott, Paula, Tony, Peter, Alicia, Andrea, Chuck and Adam; step granddaughters: Sherri and Stephanie; thirteen great-grandchildren and eight step-grandchildren; special friend, Dutch Shepersky; sister, Hilma (Reuben) Tretbar; sister-in-law, Joan Torma and cousin, Kenny Kangas; as well as many nieces and nephews and many special friends. Hazel was preceded in death by her husband, Ernie; parents, Sam and Hilma; sisters: Sylvia and Leona; brothers: Uno, Wilho, Elmer, Melvin and Leo; brother-in-laws and sister-in-laws. Special thanks to Davita Dialysis, Park Rapids, Dr. Jeffrey Skogan and especially Oak Crossing TCU in Detroit Lakes for the special care they gave to our mother. Funeral service will be held 11 AM Monday, January 4, 2016 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Park Rapids, officiated by Reverend Donald Fondow, Pastor James Neubauer and Pastor Tim Heinecke. The organist will be Sarah Kaufenberg and Kirk Brock will be singing “How Great Thou Art”. Casket bearers will be Scott Pearson, Peter Pearson, Anthony Eskola, Chuck Eskola, Adam Eskola, Jeff Johnson, Steve Safratowich, Paula Johnson, Alicia Eskola, Andrea Safratowich, Sherri Johnson, Stephanie Lefebvre. Honorary casket bearers will be Tina Brown, Caryn Shepersky, Cheryl Breitbach, Kathy Brock, Kathy French, Edie Lymburner, Bernice Chesnick and Marilyn Ritzschke. Visitation will be held 5 to 8 PM Sunday, January 3, 2016 at Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids and beginning one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday. Interment will be made at Linnell Cemetery near Ponsford, MN. A luncheon will be provided by St. John’s Lutheran Church and Gethsemane Lutheran Church. To leave online condolences or view the video tribute, please visit www.jonespearson.com.