Hazel Gandrud

Hazel Virginia (Lindahl) Gandrud, 98, formerly of Benson, Minnesota, died Saturday, July 11, at York Gardens Assisted Living in Edina, MN.   A memorial service for family will be held at the Benson City Cemetery on September 12, 2020.

Hazel was born June 22, 1922, in Benson, MN, the daughter of Thomas C. and Margret Anna (Myhre) Lindahl.  She was baptized and confirmed at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Benson.  She graduated from Benson High School in 1941.   Hazel attended the Minnesota School of Business, then worked for Ralston Purina Co. at the Ry-Krisp Plant in Southeast Minneapolis.  She worked in the office and wrote a news column for the company paper.  Next she worked for Knox Reeves Advertising in Minneapolis in their accounting department.

She returned to Benson to care for her mother, and while in Benson met Paul Gandrud.  Hazel was united in marriage to Paul W. Gandrud on October 3, 1946, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church of Benson.  They were married 38 years until Paul’s death in September 1984.  During that time Paul was President of the Swift County Bank and together they raised 5 children.

Hazel was a member of Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church, and was active in ALCW, Alter Guild, and Circles.  She and Paul enjoyed traveling and visited Norway, Denmark, France, Australia and New Zealand, Asia and many trips to Hawaii.  After Paul died, Hazel volunteered at the Benson Public Library.  She loved the outdoors, and enjoyed gardening and spending time at her lake cabin with family.  Hazel also loved to sing.  For many years, she volunteered with the weekly sing-a-long group for residents of Meadow Lane Nursing Home.  She had dear friends in Benson who golfed and bowled and celebrated each other’s birthdays together.   In her 90’s at York Gardens Assisted Living, she was in the “Sing For Life” choir program of the MacPhail Center for Music.   Hazel loved her family deeply.  She had a smile for everyone and found joy in living.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Paul; and her siblings, Clara Anderson, Marvin Lindahl, Florence Hopkins, Ann Bishop, and Helen Dolan.

She is survived by her five children, Peter S. Gandrud of Benson, and Paul W. Gandrud, Jr (Jean) of Benson, Margaret (Butch) Evans of Brooklyn Park , Anne Gandrud (Brian Daunheimer) of Minneapolis, and Gretchen (Harvey) Olson of Dayton, MN;  grandchildren Jeff Gandrud, Kris (Phay) Phrommany, Jennifer(Bradley) Beckendorf,  Joseph Seeman, Max Daunheimer, Nick Daunheimer, Jake Olson; seven great-grandchildren, and her dear nieces.

Memorials preferred to Friends of the Benson Public Library or Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church. www.Zniewskifuneralhome.com