Hazel Maurene (Diehl) Graham

Hazel Maurene Graham was born December 28, 1923, in Bates County, Missouri to Victor and Edna (Laskey) Diehl, and departed this life a few months before her 99th birthday, on October 2, 2022.  Growing up, Hazel was very close to her siblings Betty and Eugene, her grandmother, cousin Colleen, and aunts Alta and Alma, but also loved spending time with her large extended family.

After Hazel graduated from Rich Hill High School, she had several jobs including “slingin’ beer” at Jess & Jim’s during World War II. She also set out on a cross-country adventure with her husband, heading west to Washington state, where she worked alongside her cousins as a fruit pollinator in an orchard. In Washington, she gave birth to her only child, Jeannie Trammell, before eventually moving back to Rich Hill. By the time Jeannie was in high school, Hazel worked at a filling station but spent nights and weekends taking her daughter cruising up and down the main street with her friends, to games where Jeannie was cheerleading, and to church. She also liked to play cards, dance, and go fishing with her friends and sister.

One afternoon at her parent’s house Hazel was watching Gunsmoke on TV when a local businessman stopped by to offer her a job at his insurance office— a job that helped kick start a long and successful career for Hazel in the insurance industry. In the 1960’s, when it was still difficult for women to secure a loan, Hazel obtained one and proudly built, owned, and operated her own insurance agency on Route 7 in Pleasant Hill, Mo., where she had moved after marrying Donald Graham.

Hazel and Don met at the Pleasant Hill pool hall, and after they were married, they lived on their cattle farm on State Route VV, where her parents also lived after they retired. On the farm, Hazel also continued her hobby of trap shooting, which was one of her favorite hobbies. Hazel and Don often hosted people for pool and card games and to go fishing, so they were regularly surrounded by family and friends. They also took annual road trips across the southwest and through the Grand Canyon, on their way to Las Vegas, where they tried their luck at the casinos. Various family members would occasionally join them on trips, including Hazel’s mother, aunts, and her sister Betty and her husband George Roberts. Don and Hazel also loved to race each other bareback on their horses and spent time in their sprawling garden. Don was not as fond of dancing, but Hazel was born to move! She loved to dance fast to country western music, so she convinced him to go dancing every weekend at a place where the bands knew her well and played her favorite songs.

Hazel and Don were still living on the farm when Hazel found out she was going to be a grandmother. She was so excited she remodeled the house and hosted the baby showers—all while insisting no one ever call her “grandmother.” Soon, her two granddaughters, Johnna and Jana, were spending weekends there, snapping beans on the porch, making blueberry muffins, playing Uno, eating friend chicken, and helping feed the horses, cows, and numerous stray animals. Hazel also loved taking the girls shopping and getting them out of school for appointments and lunch. Hazel and Don eventually moved into town, but always stayed close to their granddaughters who continued to visit and care for them until the end of their lives.

Our “Grannie” was a remarkable woman who has been an inspiration and a constant source of love, guidance, and support throughout our lives. We will miss dancing and cooking with her, listening to her funny stories, her nightly calls, and seeing her bright blue eyes shining when she was laughing. We will even miss her stubbornness and orneriness. Hazel was preceded in death by her brother, parents, and husband. She is survived by her sister Betty, daughter Jeannie, and granddaughters Johnna and Jana, who will deeply miss her, and by many other family, friends, and neighbors.

Per Hazel’s request, there will be no memorial services. Condolences for the family may be sent to Wallace Funeral Home, 422 N. Lake Street, Pleasant Hill, MO 64080.