The funeral service for Hazel Petit, 85, of Tracy, will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 5, 2022, at the Horvath Remembrance Center in Tracy. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service; 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. at the remembrance center. Interment will follow the service at the Hoiland Cemetery in Garvin. Masks are acceptable per the comfort level of the attendees.
Hazel Marie (Saxton) Petit was born October 27, 1936 to Delmar and Martina (Ronning) Saxton on a farm near Ruthton, Ellsborough Township, Murray County. At the age of 4, she moved with her family to the Saxton farm southeast of Garvin, near Lake Shetek. When she was six, her mother Martina died. Following this traumatic experience, the children were split up to live with relatives for a couple of years, until Delmar married Mildred Snyder. Hazel spent the remainder of her childhood living on the family farm with her siblings. She attended Country School, and Tracy High School, graduating in 1954. Following graduation, Hazel moved to Minneapolis, and worked for Prudential Insurance. On March 15, 1957, Hazel married Douglas Petit at Hennepin Avenue Methodist Church in Minneapolis. The couple then lived in Lomita, CA where Hazel worked for Douglas Air Craft. Doug’s 2 year military enlistment required the couple live in Ayer, MA and West Long Branch, NJ, where Hazel continued her employment with a temporary office staffing company. Following Doug’s July 1960 US Army discharge, the couple returned to Minnesota living first in Currie, then Westbrook, before their 1968 move to Tracy. From 1971 to 2010, Hazel faithfully served as The Tracy Presbyterian Church Custodian. She was also active with the Church Choir, Evening Circle, Church Session Board, Women’s Association, and as a Sunday School Teacher. Outside of her devotion to her church, she cherished time with her family, extended family, and especially her four grandchildren.
Hazel died on Tuesday, February 22, 2022, at Our Hospice House of Murray County in Slayton, at the age of 85.
Hazel is survived by her two sons, James (Christy) Petit of St. Michael, and Michael Petit of Tracy; grandchildren Martina, Tracy, Robby, and Katey Petit; three sisters, Valorie Barwin of Crystal, Lois Elliott of Shakopee, and Jeany Baird, of Crystal; two sisters-in-law, Peggy Saxton of Tracy, and Carol Saxton of Randall; and many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Douglas, brothers Delmer Saxton and Jerry Saxton, and step-mother Mildred Saxton.
