Hazel Mae (Trosper) Weisser passed away February 7, 2012 at the Custer Regional Senior Care nursing home in Custer, SD.

Hazel was born on August 14, 1925, to Elizabeth (Stapelberg) and Melvin B. Trosper at Draper, SD. Hazel's family lost their father when she was very young and her mother married Roy Nason moving Hazel, her sister Mary and brother Leroy to the Black Hills. Hazel, Mary and Leroy were joined by half brother Everett and half sister Ruth. Hazel grew up in Custer and then attended Hot Springs High School working for board and room for a Hot Springs family. She graduated from Hot Springs High School with high honors and hopes of engineering school in the spring of 1945. However, while working at the VA laundry she renewed a relationship with recently returned WW II Army Signal Corp veteran and Hot Springs native Raymond (Ray) Weisser also employed at the VA in recreation. Hazel and Ray were married on Feb 2, 1947 at the United Churches and continued their love story for 64 years seperated only by Ray's passing Mar 5, 2011.They made Hot Springs home raising daughter Connie and son Harvey. Then in October of 2005, Hazel's health required that she take up residence at the Custer Nursing Home. Ray then moved to Custer to be closer to Hazel and when her health improved they were together again in their Custer residence for 3 years. In July 2009, with failing health, Hazel again moved into the Custer Regional Senior Care Nursing Home to be joined again by Ray for a few months before his passing.

Hazel devoted her life to her husband and children, becoming active in youth programs including Brownie, Cub, and Boy Scouts, 4-H, and American Legion Auxiliary Juniors and Junior Gun Club. She was definitely the "wind beneath our wings" as she helped and joined with Ray with their civic and church affiliations, scouting, hunting, fishing and gun clubs, Mountain Man muzzle loading and the Elks. Hazel was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary for 53 years, twice as president. She spent a number of years volunteering at the Veteran's Administration Hospital and Domiciliary and, for 10 of those years, she was State Christmas Chairman. She was also a member of the United Churches of Hot Springs for 60 years. She earned a number of awards through Scouting and her support of Ray, including the Scouter's Wife Award for her devoted support of Scouting and her husband making possible his service to Scouting.

Hazel returned to work as her children grew helping manage and announce on the Hot Springs radio station and as head cashier for JC Penny department store for a number of years. Hazel became very involved with the Business & Professional Women's Organization promoting the development of women's professional and personal growth.

Surviving Hazel and so grateful for having had the good fortune of sharing her life, love and inspiration are her daughter, Connie Newberg of Canyon Lake, TX, son, Harvey Weisser, granddaughter, Karen Weisser and great-grandsons, Kaleb and Trent, all of Prescott, AZ, and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Hazel was preceded in death by her husband, Ray, her parents, Melvin B. and Elizabeth (Stapelberg) Trosper, her step-father, Roy Nason, sister, Mary (Trosper) McCall and brother-in law, Robert McCall of Junction City, OR, brother, Melvin Leroy Trosper of Sacramento, CA, half-sister, Ruth (Nason) Strong, of Belle Fouche, SD, half-brother, Harry Everett Nason of Roseberg, OR, grandson, Ralph Raymond Newberg of Rapid City, SD, two infant grandsons, son-in-law, Ralph LeRoy Newberg of Canyon Lake, TX, sister-in-law, Hazel (Weisser) Clason and brother in-law, Bill Clason of Hill City, SD, and a niece, Teresa Clason of Rapid City, SD.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Sat, Feb 18, 2012 at the United Churches in Hot Springs with Rev. Clint Walker officiating.

Arrangements have been placed in the care of McColley's Chapel of the Hills in Custer. Written condolences can be made at www.mccolleyschapels.com.