Hazel Moller,79, Cando, ND formerly of Bisbee, ND died Tuesday, January  27, 2009 at the Towner County Living Center, Cando.

Hazel Delores Birkland was born on January 25, 1930 at Knox, ND to Norwegian immigrant parents John and Sina "Ma" (Johnson) Birkland.  Hazel recalled her early years on the family farm riding tractor with her father and watching her older sisters shuck grain.  At age 11, she moved to York, ND with her younger brother John Leonard where their mother operated the York Café.  Hazel helped with chores at the café peeling apples for pies before school in the mornings and serving customers afternoons and evenings.  Soon thereafter, the rest of the family joined her when her father was forced to leave the farm due to his failing health in 1947.  On February 1, 1948 Hazel married her high school sweetheart, John Melvin Moller, in a double wedding with her sister Vivian. They honeymooned in Langdon, ND for the weekend and returned to work Monday morning.  In October 1950, Hazel and her husband moved to Bisbee where they purchased Vulcan Iron Works from his paternal uncle Bernie Moller.  John "Smitty" Moller continued to operate the business until his death at age 60 in 1985.  Hazel gave birth to 4 children in five years.  She spoke often of the years when her children were young and her home was overrun with the neighborhood children who were always welcome.  Hazel never regretted having the children playing in her yard and home.  She was very protective of her children and enjoyed having them nearby.

In the early 60's Hazel began working at the ABL Lanes in Cando returning to her roots in the restaurant business.  She worked at several restaurants in the area.  In the early 70's she began working full time with her husband at the Blacksmith shop in Bisbee.  She was bookkeeper and even learned to weld.  She made many of the feeder panels that the local farmers used.  In her spare time she made metal sculptures from leftover pieces of scrap metal.  Hazel continued working at the family business until her retirement when she sold her interest in the business to her youngest son, Claude, who continues to operate it.

In 1999, Hazel was involved in a serious car accident.  As a result of that accident, her right leg was amputated.  Hazel somehow found the courage and strength to overcome that tragedy.  She was confined to a wheelchair for the remainder of her life, yet she was able to stay in her home and care for herself.

Hazel enjoyed her television programs, making patchwork quilts and going to Bingo where she had many cherished friends.    

Hazel had heart surgery in 2003 and was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2007.  She amazed her family and doctors with her resilience and courage to overcome these obstacles.  Due to these complications from the cancer, Hazel died peacefully in her sleep January 27, 2009 2 days past her 79th birthday.

Hazel is survived by her 4 children:  Marvin (Kathy) of Sebastopol, CA, Susan (Don) Eggl, of Carrollton, TX, John Jr. and Claude, both of Bisbee.  2 Grandchildren: Jason (Judy) Eggl, of Frisco, TX and Angela (Craig) Skelton, of Carrollton, TX.  4 great-grandchildren: Jack and Cooper Eggl and Hope and Lilly Skelton; her 2 sisters:  Vivian Hanson, of Seattle, WA and Stella Weaver, of El Paso, TX. Hazel was preceded in death by her husband John, her parents, her sisters Margaret Garst, Cecile Dulmage,  Mary Ann Barlow and Blanche Johnson; and her 2 brothers: John and Leonard.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, Janary 31, 2009 at 11:00 AM at the Bisbee Lutheran Church in Bisbee.

Visitation will be held on Friday, January 30, 2009 from 2:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the Dunnigan-Dix Funeral Home, Cando, with a 7:00 PM Prayer service.

Inurnment will be held at the Bisbee Lutheran Cemetery later in the spring.

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Rich Aamodt