Hazel Jean Stabler

Hazel Stabler ObituaryObituary published on Legacy.com by Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home - Miles City on Feb. 25, 2026.Hazel Jean Stabler peacefully passed away on February 24,2026 at her house in Miles City surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Jordan and was raised on a ranch about 1 ½ miles from Cohagen, Montana on December 7, 1933, the daughter of Axel and Coralynn Holton Clauson during the depression years. Hazel was blessed with three brothers: Bill, Nick and Ray but no sisters. The nearest neighbors had four boys. Being raised on the ranch with no girls to play with Hazel became quite a tomboy.When Hazel was the young age of two a tornado hit the area and took the roof off their house. It also managed to destroy all the outbuildings. The house was reroofed and moved to a more sheltered area, where it still sits today.Times were hard, but as a child Hazel was oblivious to it all. They always had enough to eat and clothes to wear. Clothes were mostly handmade or handed down by someone else, with store bought clothes being a true treasure. When Hazel was six years old and Ray was 4 years old they both became ill and were taken to the hospital in Jordan. They were gathered up and taken in their pajamas. Ray had to stay in hospital for a while, but Hazel did not. Since Hazel only had pajamas, her mom bought her the first store bought dress she owned, this was a special memory for her. Hazel also remembers her mother finding the hospital bill of $35 years later and commenting that at that time they wondered how they would ever pay that bill.Hazel has many fond memories of her childhood. She enjoyed having her grandmother and granddad Holton along with a young girl named Ann that they raised, being only two miles down the road for a time. All three were special influences in her life. After an unfortunate accident her grandad was injured and he and her grandmother bought an irrigated farm at Ballentine, MT. Hazel loved spending a month there every summer during harvest time. This area was like "The Garden of Eden" to Hazel with its huge apple and plums orchards and a little irrigation ditch that ran right through the yard. It seemed so cool there compared to the heat and dryness of Cohagen. Her grandparents eventually sold the farm and moved to Miles City. Hazel enjoyed having them close enough to visit often.Cohagen was also a place that created many fond childhood memories. When she was ten years old, she received the best Christmas present of her life! Her and Ray received sleds that were just their size, it made the winters a lot of fun.Hazel attended school in Cohagen from first grade through ninth grade. When she was entering the tenth grade, they closed the high school, and she had to go to Jordan to finish her high school career. Her dad moved a 12' x 12' house that had been originally built for grandpa Claus Clauson onto a lot across from the high school in Jordan. This is where Hazel and her two brothers Nick and Ray lived during school times. It was small by today's standards, but they got along just fine with a sofa that made into a bed and a little cot that opened into a bed. They also cooked their meals on a two-burner hot plate that sat on a set of shelves with curtains over them.Hazel's fondest memory is rooted in her parents. She felt that God had chosen two very important people who were honest, hardworking Godly people to help raise her and brothers. Her parents were both very musical. Her dad played the banjo along with the guitar, mandolin, fiddle, and some piano. Her mom sang beautifully and played the piano and the violin. The best evenings were when the whole family played music together as each child learned to play an instrument. Hazel treasured the nights she was called to the piano when it came time to do dishes.After graduating from high school in Jordan Hazel attended Junior College in Miles City where she took up accounting. Following this she worked as a secretary for Ralph Shipley at the Beacon Carter Service in Miles City and then worked for a CPA firm called Cross & Rigg in Glendive.On September 15, 1957, Hazel married Bob Stabler who captured her heart with sparkling brown eyes and a joyous laugh. Even her grandmother Holton commented on his merry eyes. Forty-some years later their grandchildren thought he laughed at everything. "A merry heart doeth good like medicine." Proverbs 17:22Bob and Hazel moved to Miles City and had two children: Kenny, born December 6, 1959, and Marcy, born December 7, 1960. Marcy was born on her birthday and Kenny about three hours before her birthday, so they always celebrated all three of them together. In later years Hazel found a bible that had belonged to her great, great grandmother, Violeta Siddall, with the date of her birth written down as December 7, 1810.In the fall of 1959, Bob and his brother Melvin bought the Taxi service in Miles City, know as the Range Riders Cab. Later they bought out the other two taxicab services, Yellow Cab and Miles City Cab. In 1964, they went to Kalamazoo, MI and purchased three more brand new Checker Taxi Cabs at $2,500 each. Bob eventually sold the Taxicab service and bought half interest in the Bison Bar, which he sold a few years later. He then bought a semi-tractor and trailer and went into the trucking business, which he loved to do and did for 70+ years.When Kenny and Marcy entered school Hazel went to work for a CPA firm called Stallard & Dent in Miles City. She was encouraged to obtain certification as a public accountant, so she hit the books and received her certification August 6, 1975. At that time, she was offered a partnership interest in the business and accepted it. They renamed it Stallard & Associates and many good years followed. Hazel sold her interest on January 1, 1999, after having worked there for thirty-two years.She was very proud of her six wonderful grandchildren. Kenny has two daughters: Alissa and Rachel. Marcy has twin boys, Rodney and Danny and two daughters: Kary and Nikki.Hazel always felt very Godly blessed with a wonderful family stating, "All have received Jesus as Savior and Lord, we praise God from whom all blessings flow!"Hazel was preceded in death by her parents Axel and Coralynn Clauson, her husband Bob Stabler, and her brothers Bill Clauson and Ray Clauson. Hazel is survived by her children, Kenny (Alane) Stabler and Marcy Parks, her brother Nick (Betty) Clauson, her two sisters-in-law Phyllis Clauson and Sheri Clauson, her six grandchildren and her 10 great grandchildren.A visitation will be held on Friday March 13, 2026, with family receiving friends from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. The funeral service will be Saturday March 14, 2026, at 11:00 am at Grace Bible Church. Interment will follow in the family plot at Custer County Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.stevensonandsons.comTo plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.