Betty Hazaert

Betty (Geurts) Hazaert, 90, Denmark, passed away Thursday morning, January 13, 2022. She was born to the late Louis and Stella (Van Duyse) Geurts on September 15, 1931. Betty grew up on a dairy farm, east of De Pere on GV; a road that was shared by numerous aunts, uncles and cousins who all attended the one-room school at the end of the road together. Her bicycle was her transportation to her first clerking job at Wetli’s Landscape. After her marriage to Mel Hazaert in 1950, they set up housekeeping in east Green Bay/Allouez until their move back to the De Pere area in 1964, where they began raising Arabian horses and enjoyed their adventures as a part of Ledgeview Riders. Their efforts to provide feed for the “hay-burners” then caused them to purchase a 60-acre farm just west of Denmark, in 1969, where they soon added some milk cows. Once again, Betty was doing farm chores and holding down the household while Mel continued his over-the-road trucking for Schneider Transport. Betty’s kitchen was always a busy place where she never failed to provide a delicious and impromptu dinner for any last-minute drop-ins. Her jars of home-grown and canned dill pickles are a delicious memory for many. After Mel’s passing in 1996, Betty moved into the Danish Villa Apartments in Denmark, where she connected with old friends and made new ones. The numerous games of Sheepshead played weekly in the community room were a joy she looked forward to. In her later years, King’s Corners became her card game of choice. Betty was a member of Holy Trinity Parish in New Denmark for over 50 years.

She is survived by her son, Paul (Karen) Hazaert; daughter, Pat (Dale) Rhodes; grandchildren: Dusty Rhodes, Trisha (Scott) Vander Heyden, Derek (Amanda) Rhodes, Drew Rhodes, Matt Hazaert, Sarah Hazaert; great-grandchildren: Bailey, Kendra & Emmit Hazaert; Cooper, Eleanor, Graham & Emmaline Vander Heyden; Addison, Dominic & Finley Rhodes; brothers: John (Pat) Geurts of De Pere; Dick (Mary) Geurts of Greenleaf and Ralph (Janice) Geurts of Oshkosh.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Mel Hazaert; her parents, Louis & Stella Geurts; her sister, Bernice Tarkowski; an infant sister, Mary Ann Geurts; infant great-granddaughters, Amelia and Josephine Vander Heyden; as well as numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and in-laws.

Family and friends may visit at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 6397 County Highway NN, New Denmark, on Thursday, January 20, from 9:30am until 11:15am. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30am with Fr. Xavier Amirtham, O.Praem officiating. Private burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, De Pere. Cotter Funeral and Cremation Care is assisting the family.

Thank you to the doctors, nurses and staff of Bellin 4th Floor.