Hazel Nielsen celebrates 100th

Hazel Clara Nielsen was born Sept. 29,1906 in Nance County, NE. She was one of five siblings.

Hazel's family moved to South Dakota when she was four years old. Her memory of this trip was crossing the Missouri River bridge with two wagons. Her father John Neisius drove the cattle across.

Her family settled in the Armour area to farm.

Hazel's mother died from the flu in 1918. Hazel was 12 years old and assumed the responsibility of raising her five brothers.

Hazel married Bernhordt Nielsen. Six children were sired; 19 grandchildren; 53 great grand-grandchildren; 45 great-great-grandchildren and three great-great-great-grandchildren.

Hazel moved to the Vermillion area in the 1940s where she resides yet today. A celebration was held Oct. 1 at the Eagles for her birthday.