Hazel Crabtree
Hazel Dean Crabtree (Rogers), age 99 of Lynden, went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Nov. 7 while at the Christian Health Care Center.
Hazel was born in Glasgow, Montana, on Aug. 15, 1923. She was the only child of Orlie and Myrtle (Lehman) Rogers.
Hazel moved with her family when they relocated to Lynden during her teen years.
Hazel graduated from Lynden High School in 194l, and married Vincent Crabtree in Lynden on Jan. 25, 1943.
Early in their marriage, Hazel worked at Sears in Seattle, then raised her family and worked hand-in-hand with her husband on their dairy farm on the Weidkamp Road until retirement.
Hazel was a creative and accomplished seamstress, great cook and homemaker, and enjoyed playing the piano. She was a loving, wife, mother, grandmother and friend.
Hazel’s greatest joy was spending time with family. She had a strong Christian faith, and was a longtime member of the Assembly of God Church (later called Word of Life), where she enjoyed singing in a trio, and as a member of the choir, among other ministries. She loved music. In retirement Vincent and Hazel traveled in their motor home, spending several months of winter trav-eling with friends to Yuma, Arizona.
Hazel is survived by her children: Marlaine (John) Koster of Olympia/Green Valley, AZ, Kaye (Jim) Whitaker of Mountlake Terrace, Delvin (Pam) Crabtree of Lynden, and Carla Crabtree (Tommy Juranty) of Alameda, CA; six grandchildren: Steve (Jennifer) Koster, Darla (Todd) Offner, Matthew (Amy) Crabtree, Sean Crabtree, Jimmy (Debbie) Whitaker, Katy (Tighe) Juranty Rogers, 12 great-grandchildren, and six great-great -grandchildren.
Besides her parents, Hazel was preceded in death by her husband, Vincent, of 68 years, in June 2011, infant son, Duane Vincent Crabtree, and loving grandson Jason Crabtree.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Hazel’s name may be made to the Lighthouse Mission in Bellingham.
Family and friends are invited to attend a celebration of life gathering on Saturday, Nov. 19, at 1 p.m. at Gillies Funeral Home, followed by burial in Lynden Cemetery about 1:45 p.m., with a reception back at Gillies Funeral Home about 2:15 p.m.
You are invited to share your memories of Hazel, and extend your condolences to her family by signing the online guestbook at www.gilliesfuneralhome.com.
The family would like to thank the staff of Meadow Greens, and Christian Health Care Center for their compassionate care of our dear Mom during her final years.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services.
