Obituary of Hazel Elsie Schraeder

April 30, 1942 - Camrose, Alberta

May 19, 2023 - Calgary, Alberta

Hazel Elsie Schraeder (nee Hickman), beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend, passed away on Friday, May 19, 2023, in Calgary, AB, at the age of 81, after an eight-and-a-half-year battle with Parkinson’s. She spent the last two years at the Intercare Brentwood Care Centre in Calgary.

Hazel was born on April 30, 1942, and was the second of two children born to Julius and Olga Hickman. She, along with her brother Bob, grew up on a farm in the Bittern Lake and Camrose area. There, they had many happy memories.

Hazel finished her high school in Edmonton at the Christian Training Institute (CTI), where she made a lot of deep and lasting friendships, many of which she enjoyed until her passing. After her studies, she worked for Alberta Medical Services for five years. It was during this time that she met Elmer Schraeder whom she later married on March 30, 1964, in Edmonton at Central Baptist Church.

After they were married, they moved to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, so Elmer could attend Sioux Falls College. While there, Hazel worked at Sioux Valley Hospital as a charge clerk.

After Elmer had finished college in Sioux Falls, he got a teaching job in Calgary, so they packed up and moved to Calgary in 1966.

A few years later, Elmer and Hazel had a daughter named Carla.

Hazel was a kind, gentle and generous woman always helping someone by providing a meal, some baked goods, or by housecleaning for many of her friends in their senior years.

Hazel was a loyal member of her church, Brentview Baptist, and enjoyed the fellowship of the women’s ministries, where they catered weddings, funerals and other occasions. Hazel worked in a variety of schools in northwest Calgary as a lunchroom aid and as a special needs assistant to several different students.

She loved singing in the choir, cooking, baking, sewing and looking after her two granddaughters, Emily and Laura. She would often accompany Carla on medical appointments with the girls.

Hazel was predeceased by her parents Julius and Olga Hickman and other aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Hazel will be greatly missed by her husband Elmer; daughter, Carla (Michael) Frede; granddaughters, Emily and Laura Frede; brother, Bob (Joanne) Hickman; niece, Lynelle Hickman; nephew, Leighton (Jennifer) Hickman; and grandnieces, Olivia and Hailey Hickman. Additionally, her brother-in-law, Allan (Marian) Schraeder; nieces, Gaylene (Cameron) Klapstein and Marlie (Steve) Coble; nephew, Tim (Cathy) Dutchak and many other relatives and friends.

Many thanks to the numerous staff at InterCare Brentwood Care Centre for their excellent care of Hazel these last two years.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Samaritan’s Purse. www.samaritanspurse.ca.

A celebration of Hazel’s life will take place in Calgary at a later date, by invitation. Condolences, memories, and photos can also be shared and viewed here.

In living memory of Hazel Schraeder, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 Centre Street North, Calgary, AB T2E 2V6, Telephone: 403-243-8200.