Hazel I. Gruse, age 95, of Oshkosh, died Sunday evening, February 15, 2009 at Aurora Medical Center. Born on April 8, 1913 in Fessenden, North Dakota to Thomas and Lillie (Zercle) Lloyd, Hazel married William "Bud" Gruse on July 7, 1943 in Oshkosh. William preceded Hazel in death on August 20, 2007.

Employed by various school districts, Hazel was primarily an elementary school teacher. Her first assignments were in a one room school and ended in a multi-class elementary school. Active in church, Hazel participated with painting and arts/crafts fund raisers. She was a member of Welch Druides, Homemakers, Golden Oak 4-H Club, and several bowling leagues. Hazel especially enjoyed teaching horseback riding, having been a jockey for her father's "racing stable" at the Wells County Fair in North Dakota. Later, she helped several elderly people retain their quality of life by caring for them in her own home. Hazel was a devoted wife, mother, sister, grandmother and friend. She always had a warm smile and a caring heart to welcome you into her home. She will be sadly missed by everyone who knew her.

Left to mourn her passing is a daughter, Victoria (Anthony) Potratz of Omro; a daughter-in-law, Judy Gruse of Oshkosh; four grandchildren, Todd Potratz of Berlin, Wisconsin, Mechelle (Robert) Walker of Appleton, Tammy Gruse of Oshkosh, and Cory (Neena) Gruse of Winneconne; 12 great-grandchildren, Andrew Patterson, Alyssa and Kayla Potratz, Seth Gerberding, Logan, Lucas, Reagan, and Lydia Walker, Colton, Carter, and Lexie Gruse, and Brieonna Meyers; a sister, Ellamae "Dutch" Counts of Oshkosh; a sister-in-law, Joyce Lloyd of Pickett; and nieces and nephews, Janie, Beverly, James, David, Tom, Rick, Thomas, and Doug. Preceding Hazel in death are her husband, William, her parents, Thomas and Lillie Lloyd, a son, James Gruse, two brothers, James and Kenneth Lloyd, two sisters, Iva Ann Lloyd and Lillian "Swede" Davies; a sister-in-law, Helen Lloyd; and a brother-in-law, Ollie Davies.

A service to remember Hazel's life will be held on Friday, February 27, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. in Seefeld Family of Funeral Chapels, 1025 Oregon Street, with Reverend William Van DeKreeke officiating. Private family burial service will be held at Riverside Cemetery. A time of visitation and sharing of memories will be held at the funeral chapel on Friday from 12 Noon until 2:00 p.m. Please visit www.seefeldfuneral.comto send online condolences to the family.

Seefeld Funeral and

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