Obituaries

Hazel Hoplock (Kolton)

Suddenly at home on December 14, 2023 Hazel aged 95 went to go be with all her treasured and missed brothers and sisters.

She leaves to mourn her three children , Sharon(Lloyd) Ted(Lynn) and Robert. Grandchildren Melanie(Jason) Tricia(Tony) Cheyenne ,Tanner(Ti) Madison, Lucy ,Justin(Nadine) Trevor(Jennifer) Great Grandchildren Austin, Cody, Brandi(Tyler) Brittany(Mitchell) Tristan, Jett, Jude, Ryan ,Olivia, ,Dean, Josie, Waylon Great Great Grandchildren Ava and Lydia Hazel
Hazel was predeceased by her husband Henry in 1967. Hazel was also predeceased by all her brothers and sisters, Ted and John, Anne, Mary, Nellie, Lorette, Alice and Edith. Her parents Steve and Tekla(Tennie) Kolton.

Hazel grew up in Brokenhead Mb. She had many adventures and good and happy times on the farm with all her siblings. They were poor but very happy. Hazel was a hard worker all her life , working to help her large family by picking and selling berries, she said that brought her lots of joy.

In 1951 Hazel met and married that same year Henry Hoplock. They moved to Overstonville and farmed. They had two children and in 1958 at the age of 30 Hazel contracted polio. After months in the hospital she returned home in a wheelchair and two leg braces. Several months later she became pregnant and was determined to get out of her wheelchair and one leg brace. Hazels willpower was one of her overcoming strengths and she learned to not only drive a car, but also trucks , tractors and numerous other farm implements with her disability. Being on the farm doing daily chores and raising three small children was never an issue for her. Hazel embraced each new challenge with the fortitude of the selfless woman she was.

In 1967 Henry was killed in a car accident. Hazel was left with a devastating choice to sell the farm and move to Winnipeg. There she bought a house and put herself through school. Hazel excelled in her business accounting course and landed a job a year later. She stayed at Jostens Canada for 21 years and retired at the age of 65.

Shortly after she sold her home and moved to a seniors complex which she very much loved and thrived in. With endless energy only Hazel had and her zest for life she was extremely active and enjoyed all the functions such as teas, barbecues, whist, bingo ,crib and of course going to the casino. Hazel was the secretary -treasurer for the social committee for many many years and enjoyed putting on multiple functions for the building and its tenants. She made many friends in her building and we had many good times in the multi purpose room which Hazel hosted. Hazel was extremely independent, went on numerous trips, worked hard, cooked, baked and did everything on her own.

How do you sum up into words the kind of woman Hazel was? She was fierce, independent, intelligent, ,strong , compassionate,kind, funny, outgoing and never ever let anything stand in her way. Every single one of us looked up to her and we were all in awe of her strengths and independence.

Thank you Hazel for leading us and guiding us for so many years. You have left a huge huge void in our lives and you will be forever missed. It gives us comfort to know that you are now brace free and your playing cards with all your brothers and sisters.

Cremation has taken place and Hazel will be entombed with Henry at the Tolstoi Ukrainian Cemetery in the spring with a small family service.

Our lives go on without you
But nothing is the same
We have to hide our heartache
When someone speaks your name
Sad are the hearts that love you Silent are the tears that fall
Living without you is the hardest part of all
You did so many things for us Your heart was so kind and true And when we needed someone We could always count on you
The special years will not return
When we are all together
But with the love in our hearts You walk with us forever.