Hazel Mary (Dietrich) NEWMAN, age 97, of Minneapolis passed away peacefully on June 23, 2023. Born to Martin and Nellie (Leonard) Dietrich on June 19, 1926, and raised in Windom, MN, Hazel’s love of family, generous spirit, inquisitiveness and sincere interest in other people stayed with her until the end. Graduating from Windom High School in 1944, Hazel worked at Northwestern Bell in Windom until her marriage to Donald (Don) Hohenstein in 1948.
Through the challenges of owning and operating a farming business with Don, Hazel’s intense determination, personal fortitude and value of hard work served her well. After Don passed away in 1973, Hazel moved to Minneapolis to continue her 20-year career at Northwestern Bell/US WEST in downtown Minneapolis, where she met Richard (Dick) Newman. Hazel and Dick were married in 1978 and traveled the world together for 37 years until Dick passed away in 2016. Hazel’s courage, confidence and conscientiousness contributed greatly to her successful transition from rural life to city life.
Her strong moral conviction was deeply rooted in her religious faith, and she was a long-time member of the American Lutheran Church in Windom, St. Peter Lutheran Church in Delafield Township, MN, and Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Deephaven, MN.
Her personal style was reflected in her love of fashion and interior decorating. She was an avid reader and bridge player and enthusiastically participated in bridge and book groups. She had a keen interest in Minnesota sports teams and current events. Her friends knew her as friendly, poised, charming, courteous and well-mannered.
Hazel is survived by daughters Cheryl (Hohenstein) Stone of Minneapolis and Caren (Hohenstein) Abdelaal (Ahmed Abdelaal) of Minnetonka; granddaughter, Sara Abdelaal of Minneapolis; stepson, David Newman (Susan Newman) and stepdaughter, Martha (Newman) Cremer; niece, Mari Ellyn (Plummer) Caligiuri; nephew, Martin Plummer; many other beloved relatives; and special friends at Breconwood and The Waters on 50th in Minneapolis. She was preceded in death by her husbands; sister, Eva Marie (Dietrich) Plummer; brother-in-law, Ralph Plummer; one son-in-law; one stepson-in-law; and many other beloved relatives.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 15, at the LaCanne Family Celebration of Life Center at 2280 6th Avenue in Windom, MN 56101. Visitation will be from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m., with the memorial service beginning at 1:00 p.m. and refreshments following. Burial will be at Memory Gardens Cemetery in Windom. Condolences and memories of Hazel may be sent online to www.lacannefuneralhome.com. Donations may be made to Save the Children. www.savethechildren.org.
