Hazel L. Freeman

Hazel L. Freeman, 72, of Royal Slope passed from this life Wednesday, April 28, 2010 at the Avalon Care Center in Othello.

Hazel was born on October 1, 1937 to Albert and Myrtle (Sundberg) Paulson on Vashon Island, WA. Her family moved to West Seattle when Hazel was a young child. She was raised and educated in West Seattle graduating from Highline High School in 1955. During her school years she met Tom Freeman, they dated during high school and married on October 12, 1956. They spent their early married life living and working with Tom’s parents in St. Maries, Idaho on the family dairy farm. In 1961 they moved to the Columbia Basin, staying in Othello until they finished their home on Royal Slope in 1962. Hazel and Tom cleared the land and began farming. She farmed that land with her family for 47 years.

Hazel was an avid reader, mainly spiritual and inspirational books, she read the Bible through every year. She enjoyed journaling her experiences in this life. Hazel enjoyed cooking especially when everyone was getting together. Her passion was her family and her best times were spent surrounded by them. She enjoyed traveling and looked forward to family reunions every year. She and Tom spent a lot of time on the ocean “watching the waves”. She was a 4H leader for 40 years, a member of the Dairy Wives and a devout member of the Othello First Presbyterian Church.

Hazel is survived by her husband Tom of Royal Slope and her six sons and their wives, Tom and Sharon, Tim and Nancy, Tony and Kathy, and Ted and Deana all of Royal Slope, Todd and Joey of Maple Valley and Troy and Turee of Royal Slope, her brother Glenn (Donna) Paulson of Grants Pass, OR, her sisters Phyllis (Wayne) Magill of Kent, Jean (Gene) Mills of Othello and Jane (Ron) Vanlandingham of Othello, 15 Grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren and stepmother June Paulson of Kent. She was preceded in death by her parents Albert and Myrtle Paulson.

Hazel’s life will be celebrated on Thursday May 6, 2010 at Othello First Presbyterian Church at 11:00 AM with burial to follow at Royal Memorial Gardens in Royal City. There will be an opportunity to see Hazel beginning at 9:00 AM at the church on Thursday. Memorials are suggested to the Othello Cancer Support Group, 830 Meadowlark Lane, Othello, WA 99344. You are invited to sign the guest book and leave a note for the family at stevensfuneralchapel.com. Services are entrusted to Stevens Funeral Chapel.