Obit: McCaffery, Hazel (1915 - 2014)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: McCaffery, Whitrock, Van Gorder, Zais, Topinka, Brown

----Source: Thorp Courier (Thorp, Clark Co, WI) 5/07/2014

McCaffery, Hazel (27 March 1915 - 2 May 2014)

Hazel McCaffery, age 99, let go of this life on May 2, 2014, after suffering a stroke while living in Marshfield. She had moved from Stanley to Marshfield about three years ago and lived in a senior apartment complex. She was born, the only child, to Roy and Mable (Whitrock) Van Gorder in Wisconsin Rapids ion March 27, 1915, in an uncle’s house. The family moved to Stanley when she was a teenager after having lived for a time in Wisconsin Rapids and Chippewa Falls. She graduated from Stanley schools, attended teacher’s training and taught in rural schools in the Cornell district.

She met and married another rural school teacher, Philip McCaffery, in 1938. Phil succeeded Hazel’s father as bulk agent for the Stanley Territory of Standard Oil Company. Together Hazel and Phil provided petroleum products through farm and home deliveries, and the door was always open at the “home office” at 240 Emery Street, where many customers and friends shared their lives and food. They continued to be teachers throughout their lives and had a special fondness for nature, fishing and hunting.

They raised four children: Keith (Jocelyn) McCaffrey, Lynette (Don) Zais, Michael (Kathleen) McCaffery and Wayne (Sally Topinka) McCaffery, all of whom continue to live in Central Wisconsin. Hazel is also survived by grandchildren: Rebecca McCaffery in CT, Marc McCaffery in CA, Amy Zais in Eau Claire, Kevin (Lori) Zais in Spencer, Brian (Karen) Zais in MN, and step-grandchildren: Heather and Brady Zais in Marshfield and twin girls Jordan and Sydney Zais in MN. She maintained contact with her many friends and McCaffery relatives that are located throughout the United States.

Hazel was preceded in death by her parents; beloved husband, Phil (1991); and most of her cohort of friends. Succeeding children and grandchildren of older friends and customers continued to visit Hazel until now, giving her great pleasure and good remembrances.

She was very active in the life of Our Savior’s Lutheran congregation in Stanley, where her life will be celebrated Tuesday, May 13, 2014, at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will be Monday evening, May 12, 2014, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Plombon Funeral Home, Stanley, and one hour prior to services Tuesday at the church. Memorials can be directed to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Stanley Area Historical Society or House of the Dove Hospice (Marshfield). The family extends special thanks to the end-of-life care given Hazel by the staffs of St. Joseph’s Hospital and House of the Dove Hospice.