Hazel Irene Rupe

Hazel Irene Rupe was born Oct. 28th,1925 to Harry and Bertha Miner, in Hockerville, Oklahoma. She was the third of seven children. The strongest and most defining words to describe her are: Humble. Honest. Valued family as most important. Never afraid of hard work & had great endurance. Did things thoroughly, completely & the right way. Generous. ALWAYS FAITHFUL AND ALWAYS FORGIVING.

Hazel and her two older sisters raised their younger siblings after their parents both died suddenly and within only a few months from each other. The older girls were themselves very young teenagers, the younger ones ranged from 8yr., 3, 2 years old, and the baby was only 6 months old.

Hazel married Joseph Lee Rupe in April of 1942. Their son, John Lee Rupe was born in April of 1943. They raised her brother Herman (better known as Bud) until he was a young teen & working in the mines. Margaret remained with them from age 3 until she married. When he returned from World War II, Joe began working as "an over the road truck driver". Eventually, they moved from northeast Oklahoma to Kansas City Kansas when Joe began driving for Woods Industrial hauling new cars across the country for General Motors. Hazel worked for the great Sunshine Biscuit Company. She earned many awards for service and many promotions working there until retirement. Upon both of them retiring, they sold their ranch there in the Muncie area of Kansas City Kansas. Their main home then was in Brownsville/Boca Chica Beach of Texas, exactly at the border of Mexico for several years. They also had a cabin in beautiful Wyoming within Yellowstone National Park. Hazel & Joe's granddaughter, Johnna Lynn (Rupe) Spooner, lived a lot of her young years with them. After Joe's death, due to an auto accident in 1998, Johnna has lovingly & faithfully been with Hazel. Hazel & Johnna Lynn then moved to Grove, Oklahoma.

Together for over 25 years Hazel & Johnna have been through many hilarious & delightful times. They are inseparable! Hazel's first stroke happened 2 years ago, leaving her with impaired mobility & some visual loss. Johnna has met & exceeded Hazel's every need. Even with that, Johnna has kept joy & fun in Hazel's life. (Wednesday April 30th Hazel experienced this 2nd stroke)Their loving relationship can not be measured.

Johnna wishes to recognize and give thanks to "Sissy", Mrs. Tamera Marquez, for her support & love. What started as looking after Hazel while Johnna was at work, the last 2 years, rapidly became a trusting, wonderful relationship in which Sissy is part of our family! Hazel & Johnna love her very much! They are grateful for Sissy and her family!

Hazel enjoyed traveling. She has been to every state and gained many, many friends-keeping in touch with them through all these years. She especially loved her & Joe's travels in Europe. The sites, the food, the cultures & tradition and lasting friendships from everywhere. They met townspeople, executives of corporations, and including Merceds-Benz.whom the continued friendship & travels with. Her favorites were Italy, Germany & Russia. Her hobbies, as she would tell you, "..working.. " She was one who managed the busy ranch, cared for the animals & the chores there. She always loved working in her yard. She's famous for the pies she baked! She was an avid reader, especially of novels & westerns. The nieces & nephews have loved hearing Hazel share about her life, especially her funny tales. One of her best was waking up one morning at the cabin & a moose greated her in the kitchen! She loved animals, especially dogs. Her first was "Rinny" who was part wolf. She met Rinny while hunting in Alaska and brought her home. Hazel described Rinny as, "..the smartest & most gentle & faithful dog I ever met..." She had several poodles and a Schnauzer named Missy. She had several English Setter hunting dogs. She always clarified that she "only shared a Doberman Pinscher with Joe." Her sweet tiny Tea Cup Schnauzer, JoJo, so very precious to her, is already missing Hazel very much. So is darling Tea Cup Yorkie grand puppy Bella!

We look forward to all family and friends joining us to celebrate the amazing wonderful person Hazel is and blessings she is to all of us! A visitation for Hazel will be held Tuesday, May 27, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Chapel Hill - Butler FH, 701 North 94th Street, Kansas City, KS 66112, followed by a funeral services at 12:00 PM.