Hazel Howell

Hazel Howell of Watertown, South Dakota passed away November 6, 2026.

Services will be on Friday November 13 at1:00 p.m. at Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel, Watertown, SD with visitation one hour prior to the service.

Hazel Harriet Hanson was born March 15, 1928, in Ortonville, Minnesota, to Hjalmar and Lenora (Stianson) Hanson. The family moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, when Hazel was five weeks old and then to North Dakota before settling in Summit, South Dakota. She attended grade school in Summit and graduated from Summit High School. She worked at Fenner’s Grocery while in high school and taught country school for one term.

Hazel married Henry “Hank” Howell of Peever, SD, on June 14, 1947, in Summit, SD. Hank passed away on October 16, 1990.

Hazel enjoyed fancy work, sewing, quilting, reading, her friends and family, her yard, garden, and flowers, especially her roses.

Hazel was employed at the Watertown Public Opinion, advancing to Classified Advertising Manager. Hank was medically retired from Olin, and Hazel retired from the Public Opinion. Hank and Hazel moved to Enemy Swim Lake near Waubay. After Hank passed away, Hazel returned to Watertown in 1993 and again worked for the Public Opinion, this time in the Commercial Printing Department.

She is survived by her daughter, Donna Howell of Roslyn, SD; son, Lloyd (Fran) Howell of Watertown, SD; granddaughter Christi Howell of Spokane, WA; and two nephews, Keith Hanson and Gordon (Terri) Hanson.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Hank; parents, Hjalmar and Lenora Hanson; brother, Alvin “Buddy” Hanson; and sister-in-law, Georgia Hanson.

The family would also like to extend a very special thank-you to the caring staff at Avantara Groton and Hospice for their kindness, compassion, and dedicated care.

Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel serving the family ~ www.wightandcomes.com