Hazel Helen (Gardner) Rix was born April 22, 1935, in Basehor, Kansas, to William Albert Gardner and Dora Pearl (Lewis) Gardner. From her Kansas beginnings, Hazel’s life would take her to Colorado, Arizona, and ultimately Stillwater, Oklahoma, with many adventures and thousands of miles traveled along the way.

Hazel graduated from Basehor High School in 1953 and continued her education at the University of Kansas City School of Business and Public Administration, where she earned an associate degree in business with an emphasis in accounting. She put that education to good use during a 25-year career with Montgomery Ward.

Music was an important part of Hazel’s life from an early age. She played both the trombone and piano and served as accompanist for her high school choir. Her musical gifts also became an important part of her church life. For approximately 30 years, Hazel served as a church organist and pianist, sharing her talents with generations of worshippers.

Her Christian faith was a constant throughout her life. Hazel was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church, and she expressed her faith not only through music but also through service to others. She volunteered at food banks and community dinners wherever she lived. After Hazel and Larry moved to Stillwater in 2019, they transferred their membership to First United Methodist Church of Stillwater.

Hazel also loved working with her hands. Gardening was a favorite pastime, particularly growing and caring for flowers, and she was an accomplished seamstress. Her sewing became another way of serving others. Over the years, Hazel made hundreds of outfits for children in Bolivia—a labor of love that combined her talents with her desire to help people in need.

Hazel was the mother of two children, Denise Gail McClurg Kenna and Dennis Michael McClurg. On May 31, 1980, Hazel married Larry J. Rix in Leavenworth, Kansas, beginning a marriage that would span more than 46 years and bring their families together.

Following their marriage, Hazel and Larry moved to Arvada, Colorado, and later to Palisade, Colorado. Together they shared a love of travel and the outdoors. Their adventures evolved over the years from camping and

traveling by motorcycle to campers and eventually large recreational vehicles. They traveled throughout the United States, enjoying both the journey and the many places and people they encountered along the way.

Arizona also became an important part of their lives. Hazel and Larry spent many winters there before eventually making Sun Lakes, Arizona, their home. In April 2019, they moved to Stillwater, Oklahoma, to be closer to family.

Hazel is survived by her husband, Larry J. Rix; her daughter, Denise Kenna, and husband Michael; her son, Dennis McClurg, and wife Gayla; and her stepson, Larry J. Rix Jr., and wife Susan.

Her 11 grandchildren include Michael McClurg and wife Emily; Melesa (McClurg) Creamer and husband Jason; Robert Nathan Lovvorn and wife Melissa; Taylor Throne and wife Elizabeth; Patrick Kenna and wife Amanda; Charles Kenna and wife Melissa; Daniel Rix and wife Jessica; Matthew Rix and wife Samantha; Catherine (Rix) Katz and husband Peter; Misty Peery and husband Dean; and Pebbles Ensey and husband Josh.

Hazel was also blessed with 17 great-grandchildren: Kingston Lovvorn, Grayson McClurg, Mclyndon Creamer, Levi McClurg, Thomas Creamer, William Rix, Avery Ensey, James Rix, Thomas Kenna, Braden Ensey, Abigail Rix, Brooklyn Throne, Hannah Rix, Wyatt Rix, Jackson Rix, Lucas Katz, and Leianna Kenna.

Across generations, Hazel watched her family grow, but at its heart was something much simpler: the importance of family and the joy of sharing life with the people she loved.

Hazel’s more than nine decades of life carried her from a small Kansas community to homes in Colorado, Arizona, and Oklahoma. Along the way came a career, a growing family, a 46-year marriage, motorcycle and RV adventures, winters in the Arizona sunshine, music shared from church organs and pianos, flowers lovingly tended, countless stitches sewn for children she would never meet, and a lifetime of service to others.

Hazel passed away on August 24, 2026, at the age of 91, surrounded by her family. She will be remembered for her faith, her music, her generous spirit, her devotion to family, the life she shared with Larry, and the many experiences and adventures that filled a life well lived.