born June 5, 1935, to Francis W. and Fern E. (Kauffman) Canaday on her Grandparent’s ranch near Yampa, Colorado. Hazel grew up and attended school in the Elizabeth, Colorado area, graduating from Elizabeth High School in 1953.
Hazel married Donald Mackelberg on December 23, 1955, in Denver Colorado. The couple initially settled at the Ellsworth Air Force Base in Rapid City, South Dakota.
They then resided in many locations including Denver, Colorado, West Salem, Oregon, Ephrata, Washington, Rancho Cucamonga, California, and Fallon, Nevada, before retiring in Benkelman, Nebraska.
Hazel was a stay-at-home Mom until her children were older. She then gained employment at Jolly Rancher Company of Denver, Colorado, and Rawlinson’s Commercial Laundry of Salem Oregon, while living in those communities. She was also a member of the Bible Missionary Church. Hazel was a very loving and caring Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother, Sister, Daughter, and Wife.
Hazel passed away Sunday morning, December 19, 2021, at the Dundy County Hospital, Benkelman, Nebraska. She was 86 years of age.
Survivors Include:
Son: Sidney Mackelberg and wife Lynn.
Daughters: Ronda Perry, Rose Mackelberg, and Ruby Steele
Sister: Dorothy Pearl Sells
Brother: Joseph Raymond Canaday
11 Grandchildren: Christopher (Sabrina) Thresher, Brian Thresher, Amanda Harmon, Crystal (Kirk) Seward, Loretta Perry, Ray (Lynette) Perry, Timothy Perry, Michelle (Jeffery) Cortes, Anna (Bryan) Bock, Joshua (Cindy) Cornell, Kristin (Eric) Espinosa.
34 Great-Grandchildren:
Kay Thresher, Eleanor Thresher, Lillian Thresher, Vance Thresher, Aeryous Thresher, Xaviar Thresher, Jayson Holmes, Kyla Holmes, Isabella Perry, Ezekiel Harmon, Samuel Perry, Mason Perry, Moriah Perry, Bethany Perry, Joseph Perry, Magdalene Perry, Carson Perry, Landon Perry, Kayla Seward, Kody Seward, Kelly Seward, Derrick Crain, Irene Crain, Emma Coleman, Abbi Coleman, William Cornell, Ginger Cornell, Ethan Cornell, Aden Cornell, Joshua Cornell, Mary Cornell, Erica Espinoza, Xavier Espinosa, and Erin Espinoza.
Hazel was preceded in death by her parents, husband; Donald, and sister; Margaret Miller
Graveside services will be held Monday, January 10, 2022, 10:00 A.M. at Fort Logan National Cemetery, Denver, Colorado with Sidney Mackelberg and Ray Perry speaking. A family gathering will follow at the Village Church in Thornton, Colorado.