M. Hazel Hawkins

Hazel Hawkins, age 91, of La Grande, died June 9, 2017 at her home, surrounded by her family. A funeral will be held on Thursday, June 15, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Daniels~Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center. Interment will follow at the Hillcrest Cemetery. Charitable donations in her name may be made to the Shriner's Hospital for Children or the charity of one's choice.

Hazel was born on October 22, 1925, the daughter of James and Lois Adaline (Carpenter) March in Susanville, California. The family moved to La Grande when she was a baby and she attended Island City School. She graduated from La Grande High School with the class of 1943. For approximately ten years, she worked as the secretary and later as the office manager for Consolidated Freightlines.

In June 1946, Hazel met Sherman Hawkins of La Grande at an Eastern Oregon Livestock Show dance. Four months later, on October 22 (her 21st birthday), they were married. She then became bookkeeper for the family farm located near Hot Lake and eventually a mother to two rambunctious boys. Over the years Hazel and Sherman enjoyed several trips abroad. Hazel loved being outdoors, playing Pinochle with the family, baking, and cooking.

She was an avid volunteer in the community. She served as a president of the Union County Cowbells (now the Union County Cattle Women), on the board and as a volunteer at the Union County Museum, on the Union County Election Board, and volunteered several years at La Grande Chamber of Commerce. Hazel was awarded Union County Ag Woman of the Year in 2006. She also was a member of the Union Ward of the LDS Church.

Survivors include her husband, Sherman Hawkins of La Grande; son and Daughter-in-law, Fred and Susan Hawkins of Union; grandchildren, Victoria (Hawkins) Shaver of Pendleton and Tyler Hawkins of Stanfield; great grandchildren, Kaitlyn and Brendan Shaver and other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by son, Carl Hawkins and granddaughter, Candace Hawkins.

.