Hazel Nelson Schiwitz

Hazel was born November 14, 1915, in Carlson, Texas, a small town east of Austin, the oldest of five siblings: Hartwin Nelson, Hazel Schiwitz, Myrtle Nelson Beckham, Louis Nelson and Waldine Nelson Stafford. Her parents were Frieda Napthalia and Joseph Bernard Nelson. Her childhood years were filled with laughter and joy surrounded by family and friends deeply enriched by local Swedish customs which remained important to her throughout her long life.

Leaving High School as a junior, Hazel worked at the family store, JB Nelson Groceries, an important cornerstone in the local Lund community. Committed to education, Hazel later earned her GED, the high school diploma equivalent. Her early career began at Camp Swift in Bastrop County where she aided the WWII efforts in various administrative roles. She later worked at Scarboroughs, in Austin, Ford Motor Company in Carollton, Texas and rounded out her career at the Texas Department of Health and Human Services. Along the way Hazel met and touched the lives of many co-workers whom she spoke about with fondness and cherished memories.

In 1956, at the age of 40, Hazel married Wilburn Schiwitz. Although only married for twelve years before her beloved husband passed away, Hazel and Wilburn created a lifetime of loving, wonderful experiences in a very short while. As typical of her life, she and Wilburn surrounded themselves with family and friends, enjoying simple pleasures and loving camaraderie.

Hazel retired in 1981 at the age of 65. Although she was not blessed with children of her own, Hazel was everyone's "favorite" aunt - a role she relished with pure joy. She was always the first to reach for a baby to cradle and love, even volunteering at Gethseme Lutheran Church's Mother's Day Out program.

Hazel is survived by her sister Waldine Stafford and her sister-in-law Marie Nelson. She is preceded in death by her husband, 2 brothers, 1 sister, 3 brothers-in-law and 2 sisters-in-law.

Her brothers and sisters blessed her life with an abundant extended family; she is survived by 10 nephews and 8 nieces, 22 grand nephews and 27 grand nieces and 25 great grand nephews and 20 great grand nieces. She is preceded in death by 3 nephews and 2 nieces.

No "picture" of Hazel's life would be complete without remembering her ever- present camera. Family events, social outings, simple everyday events are well chronicled by her devotion to taking pictures. She was proud of the role she consistently played as the family pictorial historian. We will be forever grateful to the memories we now recall as we look through the many suitcases, trunks and boxes of this irreplaceable gift.

The family will receive visitors on Wednesday, February 25 from 6 pm to 8 pm at Cook-Walden Capital Parks Funeral Home at 14501 N. IH 35, Pflugerville, Texas, 78660 (512-251-4118). The funeral will be officiated by Pastor Karl Gronberg of Gethseme Lutheran Church. It will be held at 1 pm on Thursday, February 26 at the same location with interment immediately following in the adjacent cemetery.

While many people were instrumental in Hazel's life, the family would like to express deep gratitude to the wonderful caregivers and staff at both the Parson's House and the Retirement and Nursing Center where she spent her last few years.

Additional information may be obtained at www.cookwaldencapitalparks.com. The family would also love to receive your loving memories which can be contributed on this website. Hazel's incredible spirit will be with the family forever. We miss her already. Rest in Peace.