Hazel P. Richards

Hazel was born February 11, 1923 in Rock Springs, Wyoming. She was graduated from Goldendale High School in 1941. Hazel married Robert A. Richards in Yakima on July 30, 1945. In 1960, the couple purchased the home in Yakima they would occupy for the remainder of their 55 year marriage.

Anyone who met Hazel described her as sweet and funny. She loved to sing and spend time with her girls. She made sure to read them a bedtime story each night when they were toddlers and attended every school program while they were in school. During the summers she made a point of having the girls participate in the arts programs and visit the Bookmobile and public library, giving them an appreciation for learning and creativity.

Hazel is survived by daughters, Carol (Jim) Wane; Janice Richards (Xander Deccio) and Kathy (Derek) Fergus. Grandchildren, Kristi (James) Gjersing; Kamri Fergus (Anthony Gottschalk); Michael (Rodena), Walter (Rebecca Pratt), Jeff (Kristie) and Jason Wane.

She is preceded in death by her husband Robert; parents, Robert and Frances Garling; sister, Lorma; brothers, Kenneth, Jack, Ray and Billy Garling.

Visitation will be 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday, October 18, 2010 at Langevin-Mussetter Funeral Home, Yakima.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, October 19th at West Hills Memorial Park.

The family thanks the staffs of Landmark Care Center and Yakima Regional Hospice for their care, and the staff and friends of the Daybreak program, who became a second family to Hazel.

Arrangements under the direction of Langevin-Mussetter Funeral Home, Yakima, WA.