Hazel M. Saienga

HAZEL (HABBEN) HEFTI SAIENGA was born on November 5, 1931, to Rolland and Ruby (McClaird) Habben in rural Balaton, Minnesota. She was baptized on July 28, 1935, and was later confirmed at Opdal Lutheran Church in Florence, Minnesota. During her younger years, she stayed busy babysitting and watching after her brothers and sisters. Hazel completed her education at the Burchard and Balaton Schools. She was united in marriage to Neil Hefti and this union was blessed with six children. They later separated. Hazel then married Raymond Saienga in Montevideo, Minnesota, where the two made their home in the following years. Following Raymond’s death, Hazel returned to the Tyler area. Throughout her working career, she was employed at Mike’s Drive-In in Tyler, Minnesota and B&H Electronics in Marshall, Minnesota. She finished her career at Schwan’s in Marshall where she worked for over 20 years prior to her retirement. Hazel became a resident of the Sunrise Manor in Tyler in February of 2021, where she died on Friday, July 9, 2021, at the age of 89 years, eight months, and four days.

Hazel was a member of the Red Hats Society of Holland and also enjoyed making coffee for the Senior Citizen Center. She had a deep love for her grandchildren and could frequently be found chasing after them. She was also a very hard worker and will be remembered for her warm smile.

Hazel is survived by her children, Carol Jones of Storm Lake, Iowa, Lois Jones of Marshall, Minnesota, Nyla (Luke) Johnson of Holland, Minnesota, Neil “Rick” Hefti of Garvin, Minnesota, Larry Hefti of Garvin, and Ken (Kim) Hefti of Lake Benton, Minnesota; nine grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild; siblings, Clifford Habben and Jean Tvedt of Tyler; and numerous other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Neil & Raymond; two grandchildren, Christine Jones and Michael Hunter; and siblings, Harriet Habben, Daisey Stillings, Ruby Mathwig, Rolland Habben, Gertrude Heidebrink, and Lois Lavoie.