Hazel Ness

Hazel Ness, age 107, died at Avantara in Clark, SD on Friday, September 23, 2022 with family by her side.

Services will be held at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Clark, SD on Wednesday, September 28, 2022 at 11:00 AM with public visitation 1 hour prior. Burial will follow at Rose Hill cemetery in Clark, SD with a lunch to follow back in the Church basement.

Hazel's funeral service may be viewed on Facebook under the Furness Funeral Home Facebook page.

Hazel Josephine Christopherson Ness

Hazel Ness, recently honored in July of 2022 as the oldest resident of South Dakota died at the age of 107 in Clark on September 23.

Hazel Josephine Christopherson was born on May 17, 1915 to Andrew and Marie (Kjeikerud) Christopherson. She was the fifth of seven children born and raised on the family farm in Naples, South Dakota.

Hazel was baptized at Pleasant Lutheran Church in Vienna. She was a lifelong resident of Clark County, attending grade school at SW Foxton and high school in Naples.

She married the love of her life, Clarence Ness, on February 2, 1934 at the Lutheran Parsonage in Clark. Hazel remembers it was a beautiful day for February in South Dakota. They were blessed with two children; Clayton Allen born in 1935, and Dianne Marie born in 1940. They farmed in Foxton and Merton Township until 1956, when the family moved to Clark.

Hazel cared for her mother, Marie, for several years before her death. She also worked as a custodian at St. Paul Lutheran Church, and worked in different restaurants over the years. She participated in various groups, including Evangelical Lutheran Church Women (ELCW), Extension Homemakers, Clark County Senior Citizens, Sons of Norway and several bridge and card groups.

Hazel and Clarence were proud of their Norwegian heritage, and Hazel was fortunate to make two trips to Norway in her lifetime.  She spoke fluent Norwegian with family both at home and in Norway.  She and her husband also traveled often to visit their children and grandchildren.

Hazel and Clarence celebrated 68 years of marriage in 2002, before her husband's death that same year.  She was known for her sharp wit, her fabulous cooking and her amazing work ethic.  Hazel enjoyed making Norwegian dishes, and was a loyal volunteer for the annual Lutefisk Dinner at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Clark.  She enjoyed making lefse in advance, and cooking, serving and cleaning up on the day of the big event. She loved raising her own fruits and vegetables, whether on the farm, or in her large garden in town.

Hazel was preceded in death by her daughter Dianne in 2008, and her six siblings,

Nels, Alf and Odean Christopherson, Margaret Ludwig, Anna Kittleson and Clara Kroutil.

Hazel is survived by her son Clayton and wife, Sandy Ness of Stillwater, Oklahoma, her son-in-law Marv Wachendorf of Brownsburg, Indiana, her grandchildren, Chris Ness, Leslie (George) Duffield, Mara Hillard, Mark (Heather), Brian (Vicky) and Karen Wachendorf, along with six great-grandchildren, Erin Collins, Emily and Marek Wachendorf, Justin, Evan and Logan Wachendorf, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made out to: St. Paul Lutefisk Supper c/o St. Paul Lutheran Church 301 S Smith St. Clark, SD 57225

Funeral arrangements are with the Furness Funeral Home in Clark, SD where there is an on-line registry at www.furnessfuneralhome.com