Hazel Marie Raskauskas (nee Johnson), resident of Clairmont, AB, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 11, 2024, in Grande Prairie, AB at the age of 87 years.

She was born on October 11, 1936, in Peoria, AB, and later moved to Grande Prairie and Fairview, AB. At the age of 16, a handsome catskinner caught her eye and they married in July of 1953. After spending some years in Wanham, AB, they moved their family of seven children to a homestead in the Blueberry Mountain area where they continued to live until 2019.

Hazel could always be counted on to lend her many talents to help family and friends with anything that needed to be grown, sewn, baked, knitted, embroidered, painted, upholstered, rhymed or sung. She never wanted any recognition for these accomplishments, but truth be told, a few of her children received excellent grades by turning in an original Hazel poem or painting to their teachers.

In addition to these many gifts, she was also blessed with the voice of an angel and never went more than an hour without singing or humming a tune. Although, she never wanted to be the center of attention, Hazel was a regular member of her church choir and graced many weddings with her unforgettable performance of Ave Maria. She was a tireless homemaker; Hazel devoted her life to caring for her children, watching her brood grow to include twenty-four grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren.

Sadly, she lost three beloved grandchildren: Brian, Ben and Becky; and then in 2020 after 67 years together, her devoted and loving husband Sargy.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, July 20, 2024, at 1:00 PM at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Spirit River, AB (5019 – 43 Ave).

The family would be happy if you joined them for refreshments in the church basement following Mass.

Condolences may be sent by visiting www.oliversfuneralhome.com.