Hazel Elma Smith, 90, died on Monday, January 9, 2006 at Lakewood Care Center in Baudette, MN.

Hazel Elma was born on January 5, 1916 in New York Mills, MN, the daughter of August and Amanda (Lauronen) Sillanpaa. She was baptized and confirmed into the Lutheran faith and attended school in New York Mills.

Hazel was united in marriage in 1934 to Charles H. Smith. She was a long time active member of Zion Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls. She loved to sing and sang with Zion Silvertones for many years, and later with the Heritage Choir. Hazel was also president of the Zion Leisure Hour for two years.

Hazel is survived by two sons: Gary (Mildred) Smith of Chinook, Montana and Darryl (Rosa) Smith of Williams, MN; four grandchildren: Michelle (Tim) Weckerlin and family of Gig Harbor, WA, Melanie of Lewistown, Montana, Maury (Kim) Smith and family of Bryon, MN and Cere Smith of Lawrenceville, GA; one brother, Edwin (Eletha) Sillanpaa of Fresno, CA; and one sister, Marian (Leonard) Eskeli of New York Mills, MN; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles, in 1976 in Thief River Falls, where he owned and operated Charlies Tire Service for 28 years; her parents; two brothers; and four sisters.

Burial will be at Woodland Cemetery, New York Mills, MN