Hazel M. Bredfeldt, 86, of Austin, Minnesota, died Wednesday morning, Aug. 20, 2014, at Mayo Clinic Health System – Austin.

Hazel Marie Damgaard was born Sept. 10, 1927, in Menomonie, Wisconsin, to Knute and Ellen (Olson) Damgaard. Following her graduation from high school, Hazel attended the University of Wisconsin-Stout for one year. She then attended the Lutheran Bible Institute in Minneapolis before going into nurse’s training at Fairview Hospitals. During this time she met her future husband Jack Bredfeldt on Valentine’s Day in 1953. They were married Aug. 1, 1953, in Menomonie. Jack and Hazel traveled as missionaries for the Evangelical Lutheran Church, serving in the French African Republic twice during the 1950’s and 1960’s. In 1965 the couple returned to the United States, where Jack served as pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Elkton for 22 years and Hazel worked as a nurse at St. Olaf Hospital in Austin for 19 years. Her work in pediatric nursing was very important to her, as she enjoyed working with children. Her St. John’s family meant a lot to her, as did her missionary friends and the reunions she had with them. Hazel also enjoyed gardening, as well as canning and freezing.

Hazel is survived by four daughters, Deborah (Stanley) Harms of Quincy, Illinois, Ruth Ann (David) Gehrke of New Ulm, Minnesota, Naomi (Richard) Gabrielson of Austin, and Sharon (Michael) Cooper of Rancho Palos Verdes, California; two sons John (Barbara) Bredfeldt of Tustin Ranch, California, and Paul (Kristi) Bredfeldt of Austin; 17 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; many other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents Knute and Ellen Damgaard; her husband Pastor Jack Bredfeldt in Feb. 2014; one sister; and one brother.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2014, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Elkton, Minnesota, with Pastor Liz Erickson officiating. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 27, at Worlein Funeral Home in Austin, and one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday. Interment will be in St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery, Elkton. Services prearranged and performed by Worlein Funeral Home of Austin. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.