Hazel Guelff

Billings, Montana: Hazel Guelff, age 86, passed away on Wednesday, June 26, 2013 at the Cozy Cottage in Billings. Visitation will be held from 2:00 P.M. until 5:00 P.M. and 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. on Monday, July 1, 2013 at the Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home in Glendive. A Vigil Service will be held at 7:00 P.M. on Monday, July 1, 2013 in the Chapel of the Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home in Glendive. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, July 2, 2013 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Glendive with Father Francis Schreiber officiating. Rite of Committal will be held in Dawson County Cemetery in Glendive. Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home of Glendive has been entrusted with the arrangements. After being with us for eighty-six years, Mrs. Hazel M. Guelff, beloved wife of the late Keith P. Guelff, passed away on Wednesday, June 26, 2013, at the Cozy Cottage in Billings, Montana. Hazel was born in Wisconsin to Ned and Anita Walker on December 26, 1926. The young Walker family left the lush green land of Wisconsin for a new life on the eastern plains of Montana, eventually settling on the farm south of Lindsay. Hazel attended twenty-eight schools in her determination to graduate. Although changing schools so many times was hard for the Walker children, they stuck together. It left Hazel with a life-long appreciation for education and sacrifice needed to achieve it. The young Hazel then stepped out in the world and started a job at the old Northern Pacific Hospital. Her years at the hospital were an amazing experience for a young woman and were source of great stories in later years. It was there she met the young man, Keith Guelff, who would win her heart and hold it for sixty-three years. By now, Hazel was no stranger to hard work and held a job at a Helena hospital to help with finances while Keith attended college. After college, she and Keith were side-by-side as they played, built and traveled. Hazel could enjoy a sparkling Las Vegas vacation and return to the farm ready to summer fallow. In the earlier years she thoroughly enjoyed their times with the Jaycees and went all out for Farm Bureau, especially those summer picnics. She developed a great passion for fabric and sewing and became a master seamstress. Retirement included yearly trips to the Arizona gem shows with a load of treasures to sell. Keith would find the stones and Hazel would craft her own jewelry to sell. They would work all through the summer and fall on one project or another, then hook up the trailer head to the gem and craft shows in Arizona. Hazel loved to dance and sing. Singing in the choir, singing in the car on trips with her sisters and, towards the end even singing to the ladies at the Cozy Cottage in Billings, who were her caregivers. She made them her friends and extended family, just as she had done at the Extended Care Unit in Glendive. All of Hazel Guelff’s family thanks the people who cared for our Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother and Great great-Grandmother. You were a joy and a blessing to Hazel and to all of us. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Hazel was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Keith. After waiting for him to come home for three years she decided she would have to leave this mortal existence and go to him. It is only fitting that they will be given a double internment on July 2nd. Hazel is survived by daughter, Donna St. George and husband, George of Billings; son, Michael Guelff and wife, Sandi of Glendive; daughter, Dalice Downs and husband, Andy of Lindsay, Montana; five grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and two great great-grandchildren were the true joys of her life. She couldn’t hold on long enough to help you grow, but she’s still watching over you. Survivors also include her brother, R.J. Walker of Lindsay; her sister, Laurel Reinholz of Billings and sister, Janice Wilske of Yakima, Washington and numerous nieces and nephews. Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at: www.silvernale-silhafuneralhome.com.

Hazel Guelff

December 26, 1926 - July 2, 2013

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Hazel Guelff

December 26, 1926 - July 2, 2013

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information

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