Hazelle Lekness

After a long life well lived and richly blessed, Hazelle Lekness passed away on April 15, 2014, at Villa Maria, Fargo, ND, just shy of her 97th birthday.

Hazelle Doris Luella Strege was born on April 30, 1917, to Robert Strege and Selma (Aadland) Strege, in Richland County, ND.  She spent her childhood on the family farm with her sister, Myrtle, and graduated from Lidgerwood high school in 1933.  After earning a teaching certificate from Valley City Teachers’ College, she returned to Duerr Township #7, the one-room country school she’d attended as a child, to assume a teaching position there.  Students and parents alike respected her skills and resourcefulness.

In 1940, Hazelle was united in marriage to Alvin R. Moen.  They resided in New Effington, SD, for many years, working together in farming and the propane business.  She was active in local community organizations and a charter member of Faith Lutheran church.  Widowed at age 53, she married Warner Lekness in 1973.  Together they enjoyed many years of bridge, bowling and square dancing in New Effington, while spending their winters in Texas. Hazelle lived her final years at Riverview Place, Fargo, in a caring community of friends and staff who she treasured.

From an early age, Hazelle loved to dance and continued to do so until her 94th birthday when physical limitations prevented it.  She was an avid reader of fiction and newspapers, and enjoyed all forms of needlework, especially crocheting afghans for her six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.  Few have matched Hazelle’s skill as an expert bridge player, a pastime she maintained until her final days at Riverview.

As a child of the depression era, Hazelle instilled in her children the values of hard work,  life-long learning and family bonds.  She will be missed always and loved forever.

Hazelle is survived by:Son, Lane (Karen) Moen of Stewartville Mn, and their children Tara (Allen) Koosmann, Waconia, MN, Megan (Beau) Tordsen, Stewartville, Mn, and Lance Moen, Portland, OR, Daughter, Ryn (Bruce) Pitts of Fargo, ND, and their children, Amber (Daniel) Taylor, Baltimore, MD, and Patrick Casey (Amit Sabnis) Pitts, San Francisco, CA, Step-son, David (Darcy) Lekness, Rapid City, SD, Great grandchildren, Lillian, Nathaniel and Phoebe Taylor, Jack, Cooper and Will Koosmann and Isaac Tordsen, Nephew, Maurice (Lucille) Kutter, Lidgerwood, ND.

Hazelle is preceded in death by her parents, two husbands, her sister, grandson Shane Lekness and special great niece, Michelle Kutter.

Visitation will be on Monday, April 21, at 10:30 AM, followed by funeral services at 11 AM at Riverview Place chapel, 5300 South 12th St, Fargo, ND. 

The family suggests memorials to Riverview Place Foundation and Roger Maris Cancer Center.