Hazel met Harold Stutsman at a dance in the summer of 1952.

"When the band was playing the Home Sweet Home waltz, Harold came and asked me to dance. I'm a terrible dancer, but Harold didn't seem to mind."

Harold worked for Whitman College (where John was going to school) in the heating plant and on the grounds. The pair were married on June 26, 1953 at Endicott, Washington.

"I met Harold the summer before we were married. We were soon together constantly. Things didn't go smooth for us as it seemed both his relatives and mine objected, but we perservered."

 

After the boys were raised, Hazel and Harold moved to Wallula, where they bought and rennovated an old house.

In 1968, Harold had a heart attack and was forced to retire. Hazel retired two years later.

For the next 10 years, the pair traveled the country, visiting every state and every Canadian province. They also enjoyed visiting Mexico.

In 1981, Hazel and Harold moved to Lowden, WA to be near John and his family. In 1987, Harold passed away at home.

"Harold was a soft-spoken, easy-going guy. He was pleasant and easy to please and get along with. We were married for 32 years, a fact that Harold was very proud of."