Hazle Mae Barke

Hazle passed away peacefully on September 17, 2018, at Eventide Nursing Home in Fargo.

Hazle was the fourth of six children born to Swedish parents, John E. and Elsie Nelson, on a farm four miles from Donnybrook, ND, on May 8, 1926. She attended a one-room country school through 7th grade, continuing through 12th grade in a town school & graduated from Donnybrook High School. She married Howard Barke, a hometown boy, in 1947. She attended Minot State Teachers' College where she received her 2-year Accreditation Teachers Certificate. She taught in the Donnybrook, Minot and Glenburn areas and finished at St. Leo’s Parochial School until 1973 when she moved to Fargo. She was employed with Qualex Photo Company until her retirement in 1995.

Hazle was a member of First United Methodist Church in Fargo and was active in UMW and many other areas of the church. She also belonged to the Sanford Partners Auxiliary and volunteered for many years in the gift shop at St. John's Hospital and then to Sanford Hospital on Broadway. She was also a member of the Donnybrook Legion Auxiliary. Hazle made life-long friends along the way that faithfully visited her until her passing.
Hazle was a loving and supporting mom to her two children, Virginia (Ginny) and Randall (Randy). She was the mom who could always be counted on for “room mother”, scout leader and Sunday school teacher. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were some of her most loved possessions. She also had “adopted boys” from Randy's college years who still visited her regularly. She loved to entertain and was known widely for her delicious pies and famous caramel rolls!

Hazle is lovingly survived by her daughter, Virginia Flegel of Santa Maria, CA; younger sisters, Elsie Weber of Jamestown, ND, and Ann Wilson (Don) of Giltner, NE; brother, Lester Nelson, of Scottsdale, AZ; brother-in-law, Christie (JoAnne) Barke of Fargo, ND; daughter-in-law, Barbara Barke of Gold Beach, OR; grandchildren, Jessica (Preston) Pete of Santa Maria, CA, Cassandra (Kody) Pete of Reno, NV, and Taylor Barke of Gold Beach, OR; and Mor Mor's great grandchildren include, Talon, Brooklyn and Titan Pete. Hazle is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews who were always remembered with birthday cards.

Hazle's two older siblings preceding her in death are Lyle E. Nelson and Helen M. Cole. Her parents and son, Randall John Barke, also preceded her in death.

The family would like to express our greatest gratitude to the staff of Eventide Nursing Home in Fargo and the team of Hospice of the Red River Valley. The care and love you provided to her is appreciated more than you can imagine.

All are invited to honor and remember Hazle. The family suggests memorial contributions be sent to First United Methodist Church of Fargo or Hospice of the Red River Valley.