Hazel Miller, age 93, of Brookings, passed away on Thursday, September 14, 2017, at Edgewood Vista.  Funeral services will be held on Monday, September 18, 2017, at the First Lutheran Church in Brookings, beginning at 10:30 A.M.  Interment will follow funeral services at Greenwood Cemetery in Brookings.  Visitation will be held the evening prior, September 17, 2017, at Eidsness Funeral Home in Brookings, from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M.

Hazel Viola Marie was born on January 30, 1924, to Carl and Viola (Bell) Seefeldt, on a farm in rural Clark County, Clark, South Dakota.  Hazel attended Clark County School through the eighth grade.  On June 11, 1941, she was united in marriage to Gordon J. Miller in Clark, South Dakota.  Following Gordon's medical discharge from the United States Army in 1943, the couple maintained a farm in Clark County for many years.

In 1955 Gordon and Hazel moved to Huron, South Dakota, where they became foster parents to 12 children.  The children ranged in age from five days old, to fourteen years of age.  Two of these very special children never left the "nest," and Hazel forever became "mom" to them.

In 1963, Hazel and her family moved to Brookings, South Dakota, where Gordon worked in law enforcement and Hazel managed apartments for over 15 years.

Hazel was a Sunday school teacher, organized the Brookings Peace Officers Auxiliary, became State Chairman and Secretary, was a member of First Lutheran Church, the American Legion Auxiliary, and also a member of 8 and 40.  Hazel was also a beloved resident of Edgewood Vista, living there for over five years, until the time of her passing.

Survivors include: daughter, Marlys Bullington, of Brookings; son, Larry (Linda) Miller, of Independence, Missouri; daughter, Rita (Roger) Stahlecker, of Bloomfield, Nebraska; son, Jack (Diane) Boatright, of Hartford, South Dakota; 9 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, and several step-grandchildren.

Hazel was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, Gordon; 3 sons-in-law; a daughter-in-law; a grandson; her parents; grandparents; brother; aunts; uncles; and cousins.

Hazel's motto was: "One day at a time and live it to the fullest," and, "Life is what you make it."  She will be deeply missed by her family and friends.