Hazel Redford Drebus
1923 – 2014
Hazel Redford Drebus completed a full and rewarding life on January 20, 2014 at the age of 90. She passed away peacefully of natural causes in the presence of her family.
Hazel was born in Oshkosh, Wisconsin on August 25, 1923 to Robert Morris and Flora Goettman Redford. She attended Longfellow Elementary School and graduated with honors from Oshkosh High School, class of 1941. Hazel then attended Oshkosh State Teachers College for two years and graduated from the University of Wisconsin (Madison) with a bachelor's degree in Home Economics in 1945. Hazel taught home economics at the Evansville, Wisconsin high school for two years, and later taught in the Madison, Wisconsin school district. She also had extensive substitute teaching experience while living in Evansville, Indiana.
The Camp Fire Girls (now Camp Fire) organization was a major influence on Hazel's life. Beginning as a Blue Bird at eight years old, she progressed to the Camp Fire Girl level two years later and ultimately achieved the highest rank of Torch Bearer in Social Leadership. As scribe in the 1930s, she submitted her group's meeting notes to the Oshkosh Daily Northwestern and following high school served two years as a senior counselor on the summer camp staff. Hazel initiated two new Camp Fire groups in Evansville, Indiana, served on the board of directors for Camp Hiwela in Wild Rose, Wisconsin, and was a member of the Camp Fire Girls alumni group Winniwishkosh in the Oshkosh/Winnebago region.
After her marriage to Richard "Dick" Drebus (a high school classmate) in 1947, they initially resided in Madison and then Badger Village, Wisconsin. Subsequent homes included Marinette, Wisconsin; Evansville, Indiana; Wilton and Wallingford, Connecticut; and Naples, Florida. Hazel and Dick returned to Oshkosh to enjoy retirement. Their home on Lake Winnebago provided a view of the city in which they were born.
Hazel enjoyed travel. Her adventures took her to all 50 states and over 80 countries on all seven continents. She sailed the Volga River in Russia, the Amazon River in South America, spent a week on the Danube River in Europe, and observed wild animals of the Rift Valley while on safari in Kenya. Her trips included viewing penguins in the extreme cold of Antarctica and polar bears in the tundra of Churchill, Manitoba. During her journeys she had the opportunity to meet many interesting personalities, including a luncheon hosted by Imelda Marcos, former first lady of the Philippines. Her most cherished trips, however, were the numerous family reunions where all 16 family members of three generations would gather at Walt Disney World in Florida for a week of fun during Thanksgiving vacations.
Hazel was active in numerous organizations. While residing in Marinette, Wisconsin, she was president of the local chapter of the American Association of University Women (AAUW). In Evansville, Indiana she was president of the Parent Teachers Association (PTA) at her children's school, was a member of the Home Economics Association, and served on the boards of the local museum and the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra. In Wilton and Wallingford, Connecticut Hazel became active with the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and joined the Wallingford Garden Club. Upon returning to Oshkosh, she participated with the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) ladies auxiliary, was secretary of P.E.O. Sisterhood, and was a member of the 20th Century Club. Hazel was also a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church and participated with the Lutheran group Grace Forever Young.
Among her various hobbies, Hazel was particularly interested in tracing the genealogy of her family roots and produced several fascinating histories of the Drebus and Redford families. Her family enjoyed Hazel's publications which related her personal history and experiences growing up in Oshkosh and included collections of poems, stories, and memories of her life.
Hazel was predeceased by her husband Dick in 2004 after 57 years of devoted marriage and her sister Gertrude Redford Harrington Haboeck in 1992. She is survived by her children William (and Jane) Drebus of Evansville, Indiana; John (and Pamela) Drebus of Nashville, Indiana; and Kathryn (and Ronald) Belin of Valparaiso, Indiana. She took great pride in her eight grandchildren Bethea Scovic, David Drebus, Scott Drebus, Richard Belin, Robert Drebus, Amy Hamilton, Donna Oldham, and Cynthia Engi. Her beloved seven great-grandchildren are Molly Scovic, Brendan Scovic, Carson Hamilton, Drew Belin, Anna Belin, Will Oldham, and Isaac Engi.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, January 23, 2014, at 11:00 a.m. in Immanuel Lutheran Church, 338 North Eagle Street, with Reverend David Pagel officiating. Interment will follow at Riverside Cemetery. A time of visiting and sharing of memories will be held on Wednesday from 5-7 p.m. at Seefeld Funeral Chapels, 1025 Oregon Street, and on Thursday from 10-11 a.m. at the church. Online condolences may be sent to www.seefeldfuneral.com.
Memorial donations may be made in Hazel's name to:
Theda Clark Hospital Foundation
130 2nd Street
Neenah, WI 54946
Immanuel Lutheran Church
338 N. Eagle St.
Oshkosh, WI 54902
Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR)
1776 D Street NW
Washington, DC 20006-5303
P.E.O. Sisterhood
Cottey College
1000 West Austin
Nevada, MO 64772