Hazel Jones

Hazel Jones, age 88 of Belle Plaine passed away on Saturday, January 7, 2023 at Mala Strana in new Prague.  Memorial Service will be at 11a.m. on Friday, January 27, 2023 at Friendship Church in Prior Lake.  Rev. Matt Clausen and Rev. Kenny White will officiate.  Visitation will be on Thursday the 26th from 4-7p.m. at the Kolden Funeral Home in Belle Plaine and continue one hour prior to the service at church on Friday morning.  Lunch will immediately follow the service followed by interment will be in Oakwood Cemetery in Belle Plaine around 3p.m.  Memorials are preferred to Friendship church or the Gideons.

Hazel Ada Mollenhauer was born in Le Sueur, Minn., on August 30, 1934 to Edward and Helen (Long) Mollenhauer. She grew up on a dairy farm outside of Le Sueur, graduating from Le Sueur High School. She attended nurses training at St. Lucas Deaconess in Faribault and became a Registered Nurse. She worked in Mankato for five-and-a-half years at Immanuel Hospital before marrying Loren Jones on March 24, 1961. They farmed together near Belle Plaine until Loren passed away in 1996. Hazel enjoyed being an active farm wife and mother. Hazel and Loren were blessed with four children – David, Lori, Sharon, and Beth. She loved her summer fishing trips to Canada with Loren that they took for many years. In the mid-90’s, Hazel began volunteering regularly at Hands of Friendship in New Prague. She also loved traveling, taking many trips, including going abroad to Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Hazel especially loved playing cards, baking, crocheting lap blankets for nursing home residents, and canning for herself and others. She was an active member in the Gideon Auxiliary as well as the VFW Women’s Auxiliary in Belle Plaine. Hazel was lovingly known as “Grandma Kitty” because of her love for cats, and she loved to give hugs whether it was over the telephone or in person.

Hazel was preceded in death by her parents, husband Loren, brother-in-law Lyle Stier, sister-in-law Lorna and son-in-law Duane Croom.

Hazel is survived by her children, David Jones of Belle Plaine, Lori (Bob) Kloth of Norwood Young America, Sharon Croom of Prior Lake, and Beth (Don) Westphal of North Mankato. Grandchildren Arianna and John Jones, Sara (David) Smith, Connor Croom, Eric and Megan Westphal, great grandchildren Emily and Dane Smith, and sister Doris Stier of Belle Plaine as well as two nieces.