Hazel Lillian Kraske

February 12, 1913 - July 21, 2015

Native and of pioneer family, Hazel Lillian Kraske (Etzwiler), died peaceful on July 21, 2015, in Tigard, Oregon, at the age of 102.

Hazel was the last of 10 Etzwiler siblings to pass. She is survived by her children and family, Jim Boles, Brian & Beverly (Boles) Biederman, both of Tigard, OR, and Jeff & Dona Boles, of Parkland, WA, and seven grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by Wilbur Boles (husband), Wendell Boles (son), Johnny Boles (grandson), Nicky Boles (great-grandson), and Alex Daily (great-grandson).

After graduation from Tillamook High School, in 1931, Hazel worked around the family farm until the great depression. Then, she along with other young people of the time, made their way to the Yakima Valley, to work in the fruit industry. While there, she met and married Wilbur Boles. 1937, found Wilbur and Hazel back in Oregon, where they started their family. They lived in Portland, throughout the war years with Wilbur manning the shipyards and Hazel raising the family. After the war, the family moved around the state from the coast back to Portland. In 1953, Wilbur passed on from complications due to cancer, leaving Hazel to raise the family. Hazel moved the family around throughout the state finding employment where she could to support her growing kids. As the kids grew and moved off, Hazel settled in Tigard, where she remained until her death.

Hazel was a fun loving person. Once shortly after high school, Hazel and her sister, Dot, even sang for a local big band leader. Hazel was a renowned dancer who cut a rug with the best of them. She would regularly hold court above the Neskowin Store, where she taught dancing. Hazel was always proud to be from one of the original Oregon families from the 1840s. Her great-grandfather, Thomas Dove Keizer, is even immortalized by a statue in Keizer, OR, as an early Oregonian, and the first Captain of the Oregon Rangers. Hazel was always the center of attention during family holidays and get-togethers as she told of old Oregon and our family.

After 102 years and so many lives touched, Hazel will be missed immensely by her large and extended family. May she rest in peace as a piece of Oregon has passed.

A graveside service will be at Oretown Cemetery, on October 3, 2015 with a reception to follow at 1:00pm at the family home of Mary Bullard. Hazel’s memorial guestbook can be signed/viewed at http://www.dignitymemorial.com/youngs-funeral-home/en-us/index.page