Hazel B. (DORR) NELSON
Marriages
James Albert Nelson - January 5, 1935
Marriage at Littleton, Colorado. James Albert Nelson died in 1973.
Burial Details
Obituaries
Steamboat Pilot page 6D - April 30, 1987
HAZEL NELSON: 1912 -1987
Hazel B. Nelson, 74, died at Routt Memorial Hospital on Saturday, April 18, 1987, following a long illness.
Graveside services were held at Fort Logan National Cemetery at 12:30 p.m. on April 22, with Father Don Griswold of the Community Church of Christ (Episcopal and Lutheran Mission) officiating.
Born on Nov. 4, 1912, near Sidney, Hazel was the daughter of Frank Elmer and Hattie Laramore Dorr. Both families were Routt County pioneers. Her father, along with his father, came to this area in 1900. Her mother came to the Yampa area and later to the Steamboat Springs area with her parents in 1883, when she was 2.
Hazel spent most of her life in or near Steamboat Springs. She received her schooling in the Cow Creek and Steamboat Springs school districts. Following her graduation from high school, she worked for several years in Denver and Colorado Springs.
On Jan. 5, 1935, in Littleton, she married James Albert Nelson. Soon after the marriage, they came to Steamboat Springs. For many years they operated a laundry.
They sold that business shortly after World War II and purchased the Royal Rest Motel, now the Nordic Lodge. Through the years they added to and improved the motel. Both retired in 1968.
An active member of the community, Hazel belonged to the American Legion Auxiliary. She worked in the organization for almost a half century at unit, state and national levels. In 1962-1963 she was president of the Department of Colorado, American Legion Auxiliary.
For many years she served as a counselor at Columbine Girls State, an American Legion Auxiliary program. She was a member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority and of St. Paul's Episcopal Church.
She loved the outdoors and, as long as she was able, had a beautiful yard and flower garden. Both she and her husband enjoyed hunting and fishing.
She is survived by two sisters, Edith Strenzel of Steamboat Springs and Opal Wood of Conifer; one brother, Henry "Hank” Dorr of Steamboat Springs; one aunt, Mina Schmidt of Steamboat Springs; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband in 1973. Also preceding her in death were three brothers, Edgar, Michael and Elmer Dorr.
A memorial fund has been established for the benefit of the Past Presidents Parley, American Legion Auxiliary, Nurse's Scholarship Fund, 3003 Tejon Street, Denver 80211. Memorial gifts to that or another fund may also be sent to Mrs. Henry Dorr, Box 770891, Steamboat Springs, CO 80477.
