Hazel R. Craig

Hazel R. Craig, age 104, of Smith Center, Kansas died Wednesday, March 5, 2008 at the Smith County Hospital in Smith Center, Kansas.

Graveside services were held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, March 8, 2008 at the Cora Cemetery in Smith County, Kansas with Rev. Matt Lucas officiating.

Hazel R. Craig, the daughter of Melinda (Olson) and John Phifer, was born August 7, 1903 in a sod house in Decatur County, Kansas. She departed this life on Wednesday, March 5, 2008 at the Smith County Hospital in Smith Center, Kansas at the age of 104 years, 6 months and 28 days.

Hazel moved with her family by horse and wagon to Smith County in 1906, where they settled in the Cora Township. She received her formal education attending rural schools. She then continued to live in the area where she worked housekeeping for many different families in the area.

On February 7, 1923 Hazel was united in marriage with Ray Victor Craig at the Dewey parsonage. This union was blessed with a daughter, Veda Ferne and a son, Jack. Ray and Hazel made their home farming southeast of Thornburg, and also in the Dewey and Cora communities. In 1979, with Ray's health failing, they moved into Smith Center to make their home where he preceded her in death on December 15, 1979. Hazel remained in her home until the age of 99, when she moved into Independent Living Health Care.

Hazel was a dedicated and faithful member of the Smith Center Nazarene Church. She enjoyed her memberships with the Dewey Ladies Aid, the Cora Bible Study, and was proud of completing the Menninger Bible Study course.

Her personality was pervaded by her determination and enthusiasm in living a full life. In her leisure time she enjoyed quilting, which she lovingly shared with her each of children and grandchildren. She was accomplished at crocheting, embroidery work, and making afghans. She enjoyed reading the Bible, gardening and working in her flower beds. In her years on the farm she always enjoyed raising her chickens, and in later years collected various chicken memorabilia. Her greatest love and joy in life was her family, and she especially cherished time spent with her grandkids and great grandkids.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband Ray; four sisters Lela Maydew, Vinal Rutherford, Mina Sidwell and Fern Arneson; a brother, Garnett Phifer, and a great granddaughter, Raquel Pennington.

Left to treasure her memory are her daughter, Veda Ferne Pennington and husband Frederick of Smith Center, Kansas; her son, Jack Craig and wife Sally of Smith Center; three grandsons: Robert Pennington and wife Connie; Larry Pennington and wife Marsha; Curtis Craig; five great grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; nieces; nephews; other relatives and a host of friends.

Williams Funeral Home
241 West 4th Avenue
Red Cloud, NE 68970

402-746-2500