Arlas Hazen

This is my cousin.

I cannot even begin to describe how much I loved this man. We rarely saw each other as adults, but as kids we were holy terror in the summertimes when I would come visit. I saw him about 5 or 6 years ago in a truck stop in Iowa. He and his wife were traveling I-80 in their truck and I was traveling I-80 going out to California. We sat for a few hours in the truck stop jabbering at each other. He drank a lot of coffee as I recall. I remember thinking that I had to soak in each moment because we might not get to see each other too many times.

I am planning on going to Maywood, NE in September and I had just found Arlas's business card and wanted to share the good news with him and see if we could meet up. However, I had a trip to Michigan planned for the next day, so I put the business card on my pegboard to call when I got home. Oh, how I wished I would have called. I'm still in Michigan as I type.

I really wanted to send a little toy Volkswagen to have placed with Arlas (it was our most infamous event) but instead I sent a page with three photos. One of his grandparents, one of my grandparents and one of the two of us. These were all taken in 1974 at the 50th Wedding Anniversary of our grandparents. They had a double wedding and a double 50th. I will post that photo when I get home. It is very cool indeed.

Love you Arlas. Rest in Peace.

Kristin

Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapels & Monuments

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Arlas S. Hazen
(August 6, 1966 - May 31, 2008)

Arlas Shawn Hazen, 41 of Maywood, NE died on May 31, 2008 at the Great Plains Regional Medical Center in North Platte.

Arlas was born on August 6, 1966 at Red Willow County St. Catherine’s Hospital in McCook, NE. He was the youngest of four children born to Alfred Dale and Donna Darlene (Gilliland) Hazen of Curtis; NE. Arlas started kindergarten in Moorefield in 1972 while his mother traveled there to teach school in the upper grades. In second grade he attended Maywood Public School and remained there until he was a fifth grader. The family moved to Colorado Springs, CO area to manage motels. He attended school in Colorado until the family transferred to Guernsey, WY to manage the Railroad Complex there. Arlas asked to go to the Christian School in Wheatland, WY some twenty miles away. He attended there until returning to Maywood for his junior and senior years graduating in 1985. Following graduation he enlisted in the National Guard.

Arlas married Marla Miller in February of 1986 to this union were born four children. On February 14, 1995 he married Kathleen Schutz at the Maywood Christian Church in Maywood. To this union were two additional children.

Arlas was a member of Awanas when he was younger and the American Vets Post 30. Arlas loved farming, mechanical work, and was a professional truck driver. He enjoyed spending time with his family, the guitar, mud racing, dirt bikes, truck pulling and his dogs.

Arlas is survived by his wife Kathleen (Schutz) Hazen of Edison, NE, son: Craig Hazen and girl friend Andi Laverack of Maywood, NE, daughters: Aislinn and husband Randy Nelson of Curtis, NE, Rachel Hazen of Scottsbluff, NE, Cassandra Hazen of Scottsbluff, NE, Sarah and husband Trevor Anderson of North Platte, NE. parents Dale and Donna Hazen of Curtis, NE, brothers: Allen Hazen of Curtis, NE and Dennis and wife Deb Hazen of Curtis, NE, sister Joyce Fischer of Lenora, KS. Also surviving are seven grandchildren Jeffrey and Bailley Nelson, Zakk and Paige Hollers, David, Nicholas, and Abigail Anderson.

Arlas was preceded in death by his grandparents: Hazel and Blanche Gilliland and Neil and Frances Hazen, son Kirk Daniel Smith, and great nephew Jordan Ryan.

Memorial services will be held Thursday June 5, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. at the Maywood Christian Church in Maywood, NE with Pastor Dale Heimer, officiating. Burial of cremains will follow in the Maywood Cemetery.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, June 3, 2008 from 2 to 8 p.m. at the Blase-Wetzel-Strauser Memorial Chapel in Curtis.

Memorials are suggested to the Arlas Hazen Memorial Fund in care of Blase-Wetzel-Strauser Memorial Chapel in Curtis.

Online condolences may be given to the family at www.blasestrauser.com