Hazel Genevieve Hovde

Hazel G. Hovde, 97, passed away peacefully at Riverfront on Main in Pelican Rapids, MN on March 9, 2026.

Hazel was born on September 12, 1928, on her parents’ farm in Ryder, North Dakota. Her parents, Ole and Jensina Hovde, were Norwegian immigrants, which created a lifelong interest in Norway for Hazel. She graduated from Minot High School and attended Minot State University for her Bachelor’s degrees in English and History, and University of North Dakota for her Master’s degree in Political Science. She also attended several summer religion classes at the Lutheran Bible Institute and Luther Seminary.

Teaching was Hazel’s greatest passion. She taught at Tioga High School (Tioga, ND), Dakota Lutheran (Minot, ND), and then at Pelican Rapids High School where she spent the remainder of her career until her retirement in 1992. Hazel loved living in Pelican Rapids!

In retirement, Hazel co-founded the Friends of the Feral Cat, an organization devoted to reducing the feral and stray cat populations in the Pelican Rapids area. Her work with this group gave her much purpose after her years in the classroom. Her dog Mimi and her cats, Emma Peace and Maria, brought her much comfort at home.

Hazel was a member of Faith Lutheran Church, where she was in charge of Vacation Bible School and participated in Communion set-up.

She is preceded in death by her dear friend Mary Neubert, her parents, Ole and Jensina Hovde, and her siblings (Arthur Bjordahl Sr., Ella Marquart, Clara Widdel, Inga Endresen, Alyce Underdahl, George Hovde, Emma Krueger, Agnes Walker, and Melvin Bjordahl, who was killed in action in Sicily during World War II). She is survived by many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Memorial service will be at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at Faith Lutheran Church, Pelican Rapids, Minnesota. Visitation will one hour prior to the service at the church. Pastor Alex Ohman will be officiating. 

Hazel will be buried in Rosehill Cemetery in Minot, North Dakota at a later date.