Hiawatha, KS Hazel I. Steely, of Hiawatha, passed away peacefully at Vintage Park Assisted Living Apartments in Hiawatha, December 22, 2023, at the age of 87.
Hazel was born near Fairview, Kansas, November 16, 1936, the only child of Leonard and Edna Mae McCullough Gildhouse and was a lifelong resident of Brown County. She attended country school near Fairview, moving to Hiawatha in 1950 where she graduated from Hiawatha High School with the class of 1954. Hazel attended Stewart’s Beauty School in Topeka and held her Cosmetology license for 50 years, owning and operating Hazel’s Style & Set.
She was a member of Zion United Methodist Church, northeast of Robinson where she served as Lay member to the Annual Conference, delegate to the General Conference in 2004. She served as president of Zion United Methodist Women’s Division and the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church, from 2000 until 2008. Other offices held include President of the Kansas East Conference United Methodist Women, Dean of the South Central Jurisdiction of the Regional School, Dean of the Kansas East Conference School of Christian Mission, Topeka District Professional Ministry, P.E.O. and the Zenith Chapter #184 Order of the Eastern Star. She was a member of the Red Cross volunteers (Gray Ladies) of the Hiawatha Community Hospital, joining in 1974. Her hobbies included traveling, needlework, and cooking.
Hazel was marred to Gerald F. Steely, January 7, 1962. They were the second couple to be married in the current Church Building. Gerald died July 5, 2008. She was also preceded in death by her parents.
Survivors include cousins Diane Brockhoff, Mike and Kellie Brockhoff, and Cathy Brockhoff. Her cousin Joyce Brockhoff and Hazel became closer after the death of her husband. They traveled to Branson, Missouri several times, and with the Christmas time their favorite time of the year. They were the best of best of friends and ‘where you seen one, you seen the other.’ Her good friend also was Mary Lou Colley at Vintage Park.
A Celebration of Hazel’s eternal life is planned for 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, December 27, at Zion Methodist Church, northeast of Robinson. Pastor Rick Forthman will officiate, to be assisted retired Pastor Paul Waters, with Eastern Star committal services conducted. Interment will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Hiawatha.
Friends may call at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, Hiawatha after 10 a.m. Tuesday. The family will meet with friends from 5 until 6:30 that evening.
Hazel suggested in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to Zion Methodist Church Memorial Fund or Amberwell Hiawatha Hospital Foundation, which may be left in care of Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, 124 S 7th St., 66434.
