At 107, Hazel Ness from Clark named 2022 South Dakota Centenarian of the Year

107-year-old Hazel Christopherson Ness of Clark because the 2022 South Dakota Centenarian of the 12 months, chosen by the South Dakota Well being Care Affiliation’s Century Membership, together with KELOLAND Tv.

Born in Could of 1915, Hazel is the present oldest member of the Century Membership^SM!

Even at 107 years outdated, Hazel continues to have a good time her proud Norwegian roots. A 13-year resident of Clark’s Roetell Senior Housing, in recent times she’s helped make lefse for residents and workers, and oyster stew on Christmas Eve. Her birthday is even on Could seventeenth, a nationwide vacation in Norway, referred to as Structure Day.

A primary era American, Hazel was born in 1915 to Andrew and Marie Christopherson on the household farm close to Naples, SD. She was one in all 7 youngsters, who all grew up engaged on the farm. When requested lately in regards to the secret to her longevity, she instructed her granddaughters that she was “by no means babied.”

Hazel has spent her total life as a resident of Clark County. She married her husband, Clarence Ness, on the Lutheran parsonage in Clark on February 2, 1934. The couple was blessed with two youngsters: Clayton Allen born in 1935, and Dianne Marie, born in 1940. The household farmed in Foxton and Merton Township till 1956, after they moved to Clark.

Hazel labored as a custodian on the native St. Paul Lutheran Church and at totally different eating places. She additionally labored at a neighborhood dance corridor promoting tickets, whereas her husband labored as a bouncer. Hazel appreciated to say that she allow them to in, and Clarence kicked them out!

Hazel served in a number of organizations, together with the Sons of Norway and Extension Homemakers. She was a wise and savvy card participant and has belonged to a number of bridge and card teams through the years. She loved quilting, making handmade quilts for all of her grandchildren. She is an excellent cook dinner, serving up Norwegian specialties, contemporary fruit and veggies from her backyard, and her mild and buttery sugar cookies are nonetheless a household favourite!

Over time, Hazel and Clarence loved visiting their youngsters and their households usually. She is the proud grandmother of six, and great-grandmother to 6 extra. Her son, Clayton and his household nonetheless journey from Oklahoma to see her a number of occasions a yr.

Hazel was at all times near her siblings, particularly her three sisters, Margaret, Anna and Clara. Once they would all get collectively, the giggles and laughter could possibly be heard from the road. They cherished to play video games, inform tales and attempt to one-up one another with the quickest wit.

Hazel has seen a lot in her life together with two World Wars, the Spanish flu, the Nice Despair and the soiled 30s. By way of all of it, she’s proven power and willpower, and has by no means misplaced her fast wit.

The Century Membership was created by the South Dakota Well being Care Affiliation to acknowledge South Dakotans age 100 or older, each for his or her longevity and their contributions to our state. Over 1,300 South Dakotans have been inducted into the Century Membership since its founding in 1997. The Century Membership is, as its title states, a membership. Due to this fact, there could also be older individuals within the state that haven’t but been inducted by a member of the family or cherished one into the Century Membership.