Hazel Kitchen Collins

Hazel Kitchen Collins, 96, wonderful mother, grandmother and our best friend passed away Jan. 7, 2015 at the home of her youngest daughter Laura in North Logan, Utah.
Hazel was born the second of seven children to Thomas Lee Kitchen and Myrtle Asay Kitchen in Lovell, Wyoming on Mar 9, 1918. Growing up in Lovell she played with paper dolls, which were her favorite, and acquired a great love for reading. When Hazel was 16 the family moved to Orem, Utah. She graduated from Lincoln High School and then attended BYU for two years majoring in landscape architecture.
When Hazel was 21 she was called to serve in the Eastern Canadian Mission. Hazel was proud to be part of a group of 20 missionaries that were taught by David O’McKay in the mission home. While in the mission home she met the most handsome missionary Elmer Arthur (Art) Collins.
After her mission Hazel worked in Salt Lake City and became her own version of Rosie the Riveter working as a draftsman at Geneva Steele in Orem, Utah during World War II.
After serving her mission and patiently waiting for Art to return home from his mission and fighting in the south pacific. Hazel was finally able to marry Elmer Arthur Collins on Jan 20, 1945 in Orem, Utah. They were later sealed in the Salt Lake Temple in April of 1946.
After their marriage they moved to Klamath Falls, Oregon where Art was recovering from malaria. While there Hazel worked for the Department of the Navy as an Engineering Draftsman. Once Art became well enough they moved back to Utah finally settling in Cache Valley where they raised their four daughters, Tanya, Sandra, Marsha, and Laura.
Although money was tight Hazel’s four girls were always dressed in the newest styles and had an abundance of clothes. This was no easy feat. This required that mom learn how to sew and design the latest fashions. Mom would carry a sketch pad in her purse and sketch all the newest styles she saw in town. She became a beautiful seamstress making the latest fashions at home for her girls. Because of sewing Mom learned to quilt and together with dad made beautiful quilts throughout the rest of their lives.
In 1979 Hazel and Art were the first couple missionaries to be called from their stake. They were called to the Hartford Connecticut Mission serving in Catskill, New York where they grew to be very fond of the area and its people.
Mom and dad’s house was a revolving hotel where hospitality and good food was never in shortage. Mom was a great cook and was always fixing a meal for a new mother, sick friend, funeral or just to surprise someone that she thought needed some cheering up.
Mom had a green thumb and spent hours in her flower gardens. She loved to travel and had many adventures throughout the world. She loved to visit sites from church and American history.
Mom was a stalwart member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and patriotic American. Mom loved the gospel and her country. She enjoyed studying and reading the scriptures, church history and American History. Her family and church were the most important possessions in her life.
We are proud of you Mom and your great example of enduring to the end. We will love and miss you but your legacy will carry on.
Mom is survived by daughters Laura (Buff) Gardner of North Logan, Utah, Marsha (Robert) Kraus of River Heights, Utah and Sandra (Jim) Stoddard of Ogden, Utah and one son in law Joseph David Evans of Annandale, Virginia , 18 grandchildren and 44 great grandchildren, a brother Larry (Henny) Kitchen of Provo, Utah and a sister Beverly (Loyd) Brady of Lyons, Colorado. Mom is preceded in death by her husband Elmer Arthur Collins; her oldest daughter Tanya Lee Evans; sisters Josephine and Levora; brothers Norval and Arlo; grandson James Stoddard.
Funeral services will be at noon Friday, Jan 16, 2015 in the Logan 13th ward LDS chapel, 195 South 100 East. A viewing will be held Friday morning from 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. at the church. Interment will be in the Preston, Idaho Cemetery.
Mom’s daughters would like to express appreciation to Dr. Nash who took time to show loving care and concern to make mom feel like she was his only patient. We would also like to thank mom’s earthly angels from CNS services especially Lindsey and Amanda who helped make mom’s final days be as comfortable as possible.
Condolences and memories may be expressed online at www.allenmortuaries.net . Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Allen-Hall Mortuary, (435) 752-3245.