Butler, Hazel Sandeen; passed away at Munson Hospice House on Jun 26, 2014. She was born Jan 9, 1915, in Trident, Montana, to Charles and Rilla (Martindale) Sandeen.
She moved with her parents to the Rapid City/Alden, Michigan area at an early age. She was the eldest of Seven children.
Siblings include: Dale Sandeen, Alice (Sandeen) Keaton, Harold Sandeen,, Robert Sandeen, Jack Sandeen, Richard Protrafka, and Donald Protrafka. Hazel graduated from Rapid City High School in 1932 and received her Teaching Certificate from County Normal. In 1934, she began her teaching career at the Luce School in Boardman Township, Kalkaska Co., boarding with the Butler Family. This is where she met Norman who became her husband in 1935. To this union was born one son, Kyle Justin Butler.
Preceding Hazel in death, were her parents; husband; son; daughter-in-law, Joy Butler; five brothers and her sister. She is survived by her step-brother, Donald Protrafka of Augusta, GA; sisters-in-law, Helen Sandeen of Bellaire and Lucile Sandeen of Mancelona; along with many nieces and nephews. Hazel received her BA in Education from Central Michigan University in 1966. Hazel retired in 1977 after teaching 36 years in the elementary grades; 32 of them at South Boardman. She also taught at the Saunders and Deibert Schools. Hazel was an exceptionally gifted woman who loved to read, travel, garden, and bowl.
She also enjoyed feeding and watering the birds who came to her kitchen window. After Hazel retired, she volunteered for many church, community, and civic organizations. She was a Hospice Volunteer for many years making home visits and working in the Kalkaska office. She also was involved for 24 years with South Boardman Museum, many years with the Kalkaska Historical Society, and the Kalkaska County Library serving for more than 20 years on the Board of Trustees. She continued to be a supporter of the Friends of the Library.
Hazel was honored by family, friends, and educational peers many times over the years, including PTO Citizen of the Year, and having a park named after her in the middle of South Boardman. For many years, Hazel used the old pine tree in this park as a means to teach a math concept.
Friends and family looked forward to the fruits of her labor making jams, jellies, apple pies, and caramel glazed pumpkin cookies. The family is genuinely grateful to the caring staff of the Munson Hospice House. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 pm. On Tue, Jul 8, 2014 at Kalkaska Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held at 1pm on wed, Jul 9, 2014in the Chapel of Kalkaska Funeral Home, with Pastor Mark Mitchell officiating. Burial will take place in Boardman Township Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the South Boardman United Methodist Church or the Boardman Area Senior Citizens.