Hazel Broadhurst

Hazel Broadhurst, 88, of Idaho Falls passed away on December 29, 2012, at Fairwinds Sand Creek Retirement Community. She was born June 11, 1924, at Deer River, Minnesota, as Hazel Othilda Valtinson, the fourth child of Alfred O. and Elvie C. Berggren Valtinson. She attended school in Minnesota, graduating from Deer River High School in 1941. Following the outbreak of WW2, Hazel went to work as a welding technician at the Oregon Shipbuilding Yard on the Columbia River, near Portland. In 1945-46, she was employed by the Salt Lake City VA Medical Center, where she met her future husband, Private Richard L. Broadhurst, 41st Infantry Division, formerly of St. Anthony, Idaho. Hazel and Richard were married on July 21, 1945, at Salt Lake City, Utah. Following his Army discharge Richard was employed in Boise, Idaho, where the couple made their first home together. Later they relocated to Idaho Falls, where all of their children were born: (Dale R., 1947; Bernie, 1948; Kenneth R., 1950, Alan K., 1952, and Joan Doris, 1955). She began a part-time career in retail sales in 1958, working for many years at Don Wilson's Drug Store, Just's Appliance Store, and other Idaho Falls Business establishments; retiring from that employment in 1975. She was an amateur artist and a gardening enthusiast. Her hobbies included collecting and compiling popular music albums and all varieties of entertainment videos, which she enjoyed sharing with her friends. Her unique crocheted afghans are prized as family heirlooms. Hazel took a special interest in family history and genealogy, tracing her ancestral roots back to medieval times in Scandinavia. The fruits of her research were made available in limited distribution publications, including her 2004 book, "Sharing a Smile." Following the death of her husband in 2009, she lived a retired life in Idaho Falls. Her companions in recent months included daughter-in-law, Jackie Boskoff. Hazel's expressed wish was to be remembered as a loving wife and mother who "touched some hearts." She is survived by her children, Dale, Alan and Joan; by granddaughters Catherine Michelle and Rosanna Doris; as well as the children of the former, (Jesse and Heather), and those of the latter, (Amy and Jodi). Arrangements are under the direction of Wood Funeral Home (273 N. Ridge) in Idaho Falls. &nbsp Born: June 11, 1924&nbsp Death: December 29, 2012

No Services

Share your thoughts and memories in the guestbook.