Hazel Catherine Christenson, the daughter of Mathilde Jane and Joseph Hansen, was born July 7, 1917 in Rose Grove Township near Popejoy. Hazel graduated from Iowa State University, College of Home Economics, in 1937 and worked at the World’s Fair in Brooklyn, N.Y. in 1939. Hazel taught home economics in Albert City and Lake Center until she married Curtis Carl Christenson, of Royal, on July 19, 1942. They met at the Cobblestone Ballroom in Storm Lake.

Hazel and Curtis lived and worked on a farm south of Royal. Hazel pursued lifelong interests in education and community service. She mainta...