Hazel Darlene Johnson was born on June 1, 1929, in Hoffman, Minnesota, the daughter of Oscar and Mabel (Olson) Fiebelkorn. She was baptized on June 16, 1929 Later her family moved to Herman and then to Benson, Minnesota. She was confirmed on May 28, 1944, at the Evangelical Lutheran in Herman. Hazel's joy of the movies began when she lived above the theatre in Herman, where she cleaned floors between shows. She was allowed to keep the coins she found, which she used to buy candy from the store across the street. On June 19, 1949, Hazel married Ingvald (Inky) Johnson at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Benson. This union was blessed with over 40 years of marriage. They farmed near Benson for a short time, then moved and lived in Oregon for two years before moving back to Benson. In addition to raising five children, Hazel worked several jobs including candling eggs at Benson Produce, waitressing at Rangaards, working at Fingerhut, and for the Benson Bakery (where she bookended' her work career, starting at the Bakery as a teenager and concluding her work career there before her retirement). Hazel was active in the Benson VFW Post 1403 auxiliary. She waitressed for many VFW steak fry suppers and frequently marched with the color guard during the Memorial Day parade. A true patriot, Hazel proudly wore the red, white, and blue. As patriotic attire was her norm; a friend once teased her saying, "Hazel, I do not know if I should hug you or salute you!" Hazel loved dancing, watching movies, was a passionate reader, and loved spending time with her kids and grandkids at the lake. Hazel was an avid and relentless family photographer all her life, and her life-long collection of family photos was proudly displayed throughout her home. This extensive archive of family photos will soon yield a treasure trove of memories for her family to re-discover. Hazel was called from this life on Saturday, February 7, 2015 at the Golden Living Center in Benson. She attained the age of 85 years, 8 months, and 7 days. Hazel is survived by her children Craig (Bonny) Johnson of Bloomington, Keith (Ann) Johnson of New Prague, Raymond (Jane) Johnson of Morris, Wanda Philbrick (Special friend Mike Berghorst) of Benson, and Dana (Mary) Johnson of West Fargo; 14 grandchildren, Zachary (Mandy) Johnson, Phillip Johnson, Alex (Adrienne) Johnson, Geoffrey Johnson, Jenna (Joel) Neumann, Maria Johnson, Anna Johnson, Damon Johnson, Joshua Johnson, Solomon Johnson; Dustin Philbrick, Brandon (Jen Keul) Philbrick, Tyler (Jenny) Johnson, and Karissa Johnson; 3 great grandchildren, Trinity Philbrick, Zayden Philbrick, and Mason Johnson; siblings Delores Pochardt of Phoenix, Arizona, Bob (Pat) Fiebelkorn, of Andover, Marlys Hoffman of Benson, and Diane (Bob) Adams of Louisberg. She was preceded in death by her husband Ingvald in 1989, and her parents, and an infant brother Jimmy.
