August 15, 1915 – November 11, 2022
Funeral services for Hazel Heffernan, 107, of Sturgis, formerly of Eagle Butte, were held Wednesday, November 16, 2022, at the UCC Church in Eagle Butte. Burial was at the Eagle Butte Cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge.
Hazel passed away Friday, November 11, 2022 at the Monument Health Sturgis Care Center.
Hazel “Mike” Louise Blattner was born August 15, 1915 in rural Eagle Butte to Earnest and Grace Blattner. She married Edward “Ed” Heffernan on July 19, 1933, and they had six children: Donald ”Donnie,” Nina, James “Jim,” Judy, Terry, and Pat.
Hazel and Ed lived on a ranch north of Eagle Butte where Ed worked for various ranches, including the Diamond A Cattle Company. Hazel worked right along with her husband Ed, haying, working cows, and keeping up with the demands of being a wife and mother. They lived on the ranch for nearly 30 years before moving to Sturgis in 1963.
In 1979 they relocated to Missouri and retired, where they enjoyed spending time with their children and grandchildren. Hazel and Ed were married for 50 years prior to his passing in 1983. Hazel returned to Sturgis in 1990.
Hazel was an avid baker, she loved trying new recipes and sharing the results which included chocolate covered cherries, peanut butter balls, oatmeal cookies, and many more goodies. She enjoyed knitting, crocheting, sewing, and playing cards. Hazel made sure that all the guys in the family had handmade western shirts in all sizes, making them for her sons, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. Hazel also loved making quilts and blankets for her grandchildren. She loved kittens, babies, collecting knickknacks, and sharing her treasures with her family.
Not many families get the chance to have five generations, but Hazel’s long life blessed her family with this. It is believed that for the final 50 days of Hazel’s life, she was the oldest living woman in the state of South Dakota, a blessing not afforded to many.
Hazel is survived by her daughters Nina Zorc and Judy (Bo) Butler; sons Jim (Joann) Heffernan, Terry (Patty) Heffernan and Pat (Beverly) Heffernan; 22 grandchildren; 37 great-grandchildren; and 37 greatgreat- grandchildren. She had a special and caring relationship with her niece Golda and Gilbert Diaz.
Hazel is preceded in death by her husband Ed; son Donnie (Caroline); two grandchildren; brothers Harold, Clarence, Harry, and Simon Blattner; sisters Rose Keckler, Edith Heffernan, Mabel Stapert, Alvena Joens, and Eleanor Wendt; and son-in-law Joe Zorc.