Hazel Lautner

October 5, 1923 - May 13, 2020

Hazel Lautner, 96, of Cedar, MI passed away at the home of her daughter on May 13, 2020. Hazel was born October 5, 1923, Cadillac, Michigan on the family farm to Elden and Esther (Westergren) Benson. She graduated from Cadillac High School and received her teaching degree from Central Michigan University. During World War II, Hazel worked in Pontiac two summers as a welder and also drove the DUKW (duck boats) off the assembly line. Hazel taught Latin and English at Traverse City Public Schools for 30 years. She started the ski club at Traverse City Central in the 1940's. Hazel enjoyed traveling, even to her ancestral home in Sweden, gardening, flowers, driving tractor for mowing and baling hay, knitting, sewing, downhill and cross-country skiing, spending time with her family, and going to all the school, music, and sport activities of her children and grand children. Hazel was active in 4-H and her church. Hazel was well-known for her strawberry and raspberry shortcake; she liked ice cream and pie. Hazel was hard working, kind, and never complained. Hazel married Kenneth Lautner at Zion Lutheran Church in Cadillac on June 19, 1948. She is survived by 5 children: Cheryl (Tom) Wegener of Williamsburg, Ben (Myra) Lautner of Kaleva, Joy (Jim) Johnson, Nancy Lautner, and Terry (Cathy) Lautner all of Traverse City. She has 13 grand children: Kerry (Jerry) Mosko, Amanda Wegener, Brandon (Lisa) Wegener, Melissa (Jason) Knauff, Wendy (Greg) Speicher, Sandy (Scott) Parkhurst, Timothy Johnson, Kathy Johnson, David (Jessica) Johnson, Daniel Johnson, Andrew (Kori) Lautner, Julie Lautner, and Erich (Sarah) Lautner and 1 step grand daughter: Jamaica (Patrick) Martin. She has 17 great grand children: Noah, Isabella, Jordan, Nicholas, Archer, Israel, Zoey, Rachael, Alexander, Anna Hope, Emmett, Sawyer, Liberty, Olivia, Poppy, Emma, and Simon. She is also survived by nieces and nephews, cousins, and dear friends. Hazel was preceded in death by her husband, two sisters, Virginia (Paul) Mezynski and Ethel (Ken) Traut, and a nephew Darrell Uptegraft Jr. The family thanks Hospice of Michigan, especially Dana, Karen, and Shelley, for the wonderful care provided to Hazel and her family. There will be no funeral because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Memorials may be given to Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 1050 Peninsula Drive, Traverse City, MI 49686 or Hospice of Michigan, 10850 E Traverse Hwy, STE 1155, Traverse City, MI 49684.