Hazelle Bernice (Tucker) Kelley

Hazelle Bernice Kelley, born Hazelle Bernice Tucker, passed away from this world and joined our Lord on Friday, August 5th, 2022, on her 96th birthday. She was at home with her daughter and a grandson by her side as she took her last breath. She was surrounded with love the final days of her life.

Hazelle was born in Spring Valley, IA, August 5th, 1926, to Albert Faye Tucker and Audry “Pearl” (Phieffer). Hazelle grew up on a farm with 9 brothers and sisters. She stopped going to school after the 8th grade in order to help support her family after her mother became ill. Her father was also a veteran of both WWI and WWII. 

At the age of 19, she married Marwid Julius Bushie in Alexandria, Minnesota and they went on to have 7 children. 

In 1964 she moved to the Bemidji area and on April 23rd, 1966, she married the love of her life, Max Carlton Kelley and they started their life together in Bemidji. They built a beautiful farm. Max would work on the farm full-time and Hazelle would often be found, in her spare time, working in the field or preparing food for her loved ones and those around. Many weekends were filled with hayrides around and for the community. She had a variety of jobs throughout the Bemidji area, until she found her place at the Bemidji Woolen Mills where she remained for nearly 30 years. 

After she retired, she continued by working at Minnesota Woods Products and made bows until she was 92 years of age. 

Hazelle’s house was always welcoming to anyone the kids’ brought home, much of whom called her mom and thought of her as such. Anyone that knew her could see what an incredible woman she was. So strong, so kind, so honest, so caring. She was an incredibly hard-working woman who beat anything life threw at her, including cancer.

She is preceded in death by her children Jim, Richard, and Dennis Bushie. Her parents, brothers and sisters, and many loved ones. 

She is survived by four of her children; Edward Bushie, Scotty Bushie, Beverly (Mike) Kingsbury, and one estranged son. 11 grandchildren, several great-grandchildren, and many, many loved ones. 

A celebration of life will be held on Sunday August 21st at her farm. Please join us from 2-6pm to reminisce on the life she lived. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Hazelle Bernice (Tucker) Kelley, please visit our floral store.