Hazel Johnson-Paepke, 98, Burlington, died June 7, 2015, at her home. She was born on May 24, 1917, to the late Jim and Ellen (Coates) Miller in Saginaw, Mich. She graduated from Saginaw High School and in 1937.
She married Robert F. Johnson from Burlington. Hazel and Bob lived in Akron, Ohio, Milwaukee and Green Bay before moving to Burlington to raise their family. In 1964 they relocated several times for his job and lived in Texas, Tennessee, Georgia, Quebec and Alabama before moving back to Burlington. After Bob passed away in 1982, Hazel married Walter Paepke. Walter died unexpectedly in 1985.
She was an active member of Burlington United Methodist Church and Burlington Order of Eastern Star for many years. Meals on Wheels and Burlington Area Arts Council were two of the organizations she did volunteer work for. Many people will remember Hazel from the time she worked for Diana Lux at Lux’s Gift Shop. Prior to that Hazel was part owner in Millie’s Fabric Shop and worked at Grossman’s Grocery Store.
Survivors include her son, William ‘Bill’ (Sue) Johnson, their children, Jennifer (Scott) McCarthy and Jeff (Chris) Johnson of Stevens Point, great-grandchildren, Jarrett and Jordan McCarthy; daughter, Ellen (Karl) Leitheusser, their children, Jean (Brad) Otter, great-grandchildren, Jake, Mitch, Nick and Grant; Jon (Julia) Leitheusser of Renton, Wash.; Julie (Jeff) Moen, their children, Jess, Reid and Brett; daughter-in-law, Betty Peters of Jefferson, Ohio, and granddaughter, Jamie Johnson-McCumber of Geneva, Ohio, and partner, Dena McCumber and their children Carly, Megan, Emily and Kaylee; sister, Lillian Banas of Alpena, Mich., and her children; Dr. Jon (Marcia) Banas, Dr. Tom (Nadia) Banas and Steve (Lisa) Banas; two stepdaughters, Barb Downer of West Allis and her son, Keith (Kim) Downer of West Bend and Janet Paepke of W. Lebanon, N.H.; step-granddaughter, Kathy Johnson of Richfield, and her son, Alex. Everyone is from Burlington unless otherwise noted.
She was further preceded in death by her son, Robert A. Johnson; in-laws, Anna and William Johnson; sister, Betty (Chuck) Diment; their daughter, Marsha (George) Hudon; brother-in-law, Ray Banas; his son, Jim Banas; sister-in-law, Evelyn (Ted) Olson; their daughter, Joyce Walburg; step-son-in-law, Jack Downer; stepdaughter, Noreen (Tom) Rogers; their son, Tom and daughter, Jackie; and stepdaughter, Ginny Paepke.
Hazel’s family wants to thank nurse’s aide, Sandy Popp and all the staff from Aurora at Home Hospice and special friend, Chandra Maziarka for all the care and enjoyment they gave Hazel.
Per Hazel’s request, private services will be held.
Hazel had one last word of advice: Vote Republican.
Schuette-Daniels Funeral Home & Crematory, Burlington, is serving the family.
Well-wishers can visit www.danielsfamilyfuneral.com.
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