"Grandma Hazel" Passes On

Tom and Cathy Benzler, Lutheran Indian Ministries' staff on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State, shared with us that Hazel Sampson, known by all as "Grandma Hazel," passed on to be with her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, Feb. 6, at the age of 103. She was the last Lower Elwha elder to have spoken the Klallam language from birth and learn English as a second language. Tom and Cathy introduced Lutheran Indian Ministries and many of our supporters and friends to Grandma Hazel a number of years ago when they began ministry to the Klallam People on Olympic Peninsula's Lower Elwha Reservation. Early on, the Benzlers visited Grandma Hazel at least once every week in her home to bring food and other basic necessities, share God's Word, pray with her and learn from her as she shared her amazing life and history.

Regarding their loss, Cathy said Grandma Hazel "will be sorely missed; she taught us all a lot."

Thank you, our friends and supporters, for your prayers of thanksgiving for Grandma Hazel's life and your prayers for the Sampson family, the Klallam People on the Lower Elwha Reservation and for Tom and Cathy.