Elizabth Hazen

Elizabeth (Betty) Hazen passed away on November 14, 2014, while in hospice care at Pioneer Ridge, Lawrence, Kansas.

Betty was born in Rangoon, Burma on December 30, 1932, where her father, Christian Charles Scherling, was a chemistry professor at the Judson College and her mother, Freda Scherling, was a bookkeeper. Elizabeth’s father died when she was eight years old. As the Japanese started invading Burma during World War II a few years after her father’s death, Freda was advised to take her four children to Woodstock School in the Himalayan Mountains of India, to escape the fighting. Betty fondly remembers her years at Woodstock, where she graduated from high school when she was sixteen years old. She stayed in correspondence with several of her classmates from there until recent years.

To acclimate to the customs and education system of the United States as the family moved here after her graduation, Betty enrolled in one year of high school in Ottawa, Kansas. There she met a group of friends who have remained very close and dear to her. After graduation, Betty attended and graduated from Ottawa University, where she earned her Bachelor of Education degree. She met the love of her life, Norman Hazen, while working a part-time job at the City Hall. Norman and Betty married on November 23, 1952. This year would have been their sixty-second anniversary. They enjoyed working on many home and yard projects together, and caring for their children.

Teaching was a life-long joy and passion for Betty. She especially enjoyed teaching young children to read. Betty began her teaching career by doing two one-year stints at one-room schoolhouses as they were beginning the consolidation process. She taught at Hope School one year and Davey School the next. She began her Ottawa career at Lincoln Elementary, teaching first and fifth grade. At the end of her teaching career, she taught sixth grade at Ottawa Middle School. During the course of her time at Lincoln, she earned a Master’s Degree from Emporia State University in counseling.

Betty was a devoted wife, mother and daughter. She was very active in the Trinity Methodist Church in Ottawa, Kansas where she taught Sunday School, Bible School, was a member of the choir and the Administrative Council. Betty and was active parent for her children while they were in the Town and Country 4-H Club, where she was a project leader and sponsor for many events. Betty was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, loved Indian and Chinese foods, and enjoyed doing crossword puzzles and brain games.

Betty’s husband, Norman, currently lives at Pioneer Ridge Assisted Living in Lawrence, Kansas. Also surviving are their son Greg Hazen and his wife Patricia Henshall, Lawrence; and daughter Jeanne Fridell, her husband Max; and their grandson and his wife, Zach and Margaret Fridell- all of Lawrence. Betty’s son, Keith, preceded her in death in 2007. Keith’s widow Jaci and their son Adam live in Ottawa. Their other son Tyler lives in Kansas City.

Also surviving are Betty’s sister Marguerite Schweitzer, McPherson, Kansas and her brother, Hans Scherling of Vancouver, BC, and many beloved nieces and nephews. Her mother and brother, Christian Scherling, preceded her in death.

Betty’s wish was to be cremated. A memorial service for family and close friends is being planned for a later date. Memorials may be made in Betty’s name for Woodstock School and sent in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home, PO Box 1260, Lawrence, KS 66044.