Hazel Ruth Shultis Estervig
Hazel Ruth Shultis Estervig was born in Reedsburg, Wisconsin on July 30, 1922 and passed away on August 24, 2022 surrounded by her family, as usual. She lived to celebrate her 100th birthday, attended by over 150 close family and friends! On her last day of life, she was doing her crosswords, reading the State Journal, having lunch with friends, binging on Murdoch Mysteries, and reading her novel. She was also working on her counted cross stitch Christmas ornaments and making plans to attend her Tuesday morning breakfast group.
While it’s impossible to describe the awesomeness of Hazel’s life, here are a few highlights. After graduating Valedictorian from Sun Prairie High School class of 1940, she married Raymond Estervig on February 8, 1947. Together they raised 5 children: Howard Estervig (Melissa), Elaine Beaubien (Ken), David Estervig and Gail Upton (Steve Wayne), Janet Estervig, and Barbara Estervig (Eric Allwardt). She added AFS student Raul Hopkins from Peru to her list of children in 1969. Tireless, talented, and armed with accounting skills she partnered with Ray to build two successful businesses in Waterloo (RaJo Industries) and Madison (Gordon Engineering).
She believed in giving back to her community, serving on committees, and assuming leadership roles in the Order of the Eastern Star, the United Methodist Church of Sun Prairie, Waterloo and Monona, AFS, local election and library boards and every school function her children volunteered her for. She was a volunteer at UW Hockey Games, 2nd Harvest, and River Food Pantry well into her 90’s!
Her favorite role was Grandma and she was blessed with Amy Elmer (Shawn Elmer), Erin Estervig, Andrew Estervig (Kristie), Brian Estervig (Megan Singel), Elizabeth Estervig (potential Emmy winner), Katherine Estervig (Ben Rueter), John Allwardt (Chelsea Beuscher) and Rebecca Allwardt. Her greatest joy in the last decade was spending time with her great-grandchildren: Josephine and Hayley Elmer and Henry Estervig.
She lived the dream, leaving nothing on her bucket list. She explored the world with Janet, went skydiving at 89 with John and Barb, spent winters in Florida, and shared her love of travel by gifting trips around the world to her grandchildren (taking her with them of course.) Never slowing down, she visited China, Russia, Egypt, Israel, Machu Picchu, Denmark, Paris, New Zealand, and several National Parks in her 90’s. The company of her friends from Cherokee and her church circle enriched her life until the end.
When asked how to have a long and happy life, Hazel had this advice: Have a positive attitude; eat well and keep moving; laugh every day; love your family; play with the little ones; love is never divided only multiplied; be grateful; don’t worry be happy; love is love; count your blessings; be yourself: we’ll adjust; concentrate on the things you have; not the things you don’t; make and keep good friends; be forgiving; be generous; and a personal favorite: “a little of that goes a long way”.
She leaves her loving sister, Bernadene Pratt, Merrimac, and is predeceased by two brothers, Loren and LeRoy, her parents Esther and Royal Shultis, husband Raymond, son David, and daughter-in-law Patricia.
Because friends and family were able to greet her in person a few weeks ago for her 100th birthday, no public service is planned at this time. A private family gathering will inter her ashes next to Ray and Dave.
Hazel’s final advice: “Live each day like it’s your last because one of these days you’re going to be right!”
To honor Hazel, send a check to Second Harvest (2802 Dairy Dr., Madison, WI 53718) or contribute to your local food pantry. To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.
Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Service
2418 N Sherman Ave
608-249-8257
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