Our beloved Aunt, Hazel Jenette Cada passed away on April 2, 2024, at Life Care Center of Boise. Aunt Hazel was born November 28, 1929, to Walter and Nellie Whittet in the town of Delhi, Redwood County, Minnesota. She was the oldest of six children. Sometime around 1940, Grandpa Walter made a trip to Weiser, Idaho and purchased a small farm across from Weiser Airport. He then moved the entire family in a drive from Minnesota to Idaho. In a car full of kids, plus a dog, pulling a smaller trailer full of their belongings in the dead of winter it must have been quite the adventure.
Aunt Hazel attended the Sunnyside School outside of Weiser. She graduated from Weiser High School in 1948. After school she spent time working as a nanny in Boise, Idaho for a local physician. She also worked at the local box factory in Weiser and Ore-Ida potato processing plant in Ontario, Oregon. She tells of the time she sampled one of the first Tator Tots off the line.
At some point in the late 1950’s she met her future husband, Emil. She spent many years traveling to Anchorage, Alaska during the summer months to work and be near Emil. Then she would come home to Idaho for the winter months to work at Ore-Ida. Finally, on January 6, 1968, she and Emil traveled to Carson City, Nevada and were married. They built their own home in Anchorage and had many Alaskan adventures. Aunt Hazel worked for Alaskan Dry Cleaners as a clerk in several branches including downtown Anchorage for many years. Upon their retirement they bought their home in Weiser and moved home to be closer to their families. Never having been pet parents, they acquired a little dachshund dog they named Snickers. As Uncle’s health failed in his later years, Aunt Hazel faithfully cared for him in their home until his passing in 2009. Just days before his death he commented, “How did we ever live without that dog”.
For as long as I can remember Aunt Hazel had many hobbies. She and Uncle were avid gardeners, growing large gardens in both Anchorage and Weiser. Their yards were meticulously kept with lots of trees, plants, and flowers. She enjoyed keeping her home and was a great cook, always trying some new recipe. She took up crocheting, knitting and ultimately quilting. Many family members were the recipients of afghans and quilts. For many years she was a member of the Friends of the Hospital in Weiser and sewed many baby blankets to be given to the newborn babies in Weiser.
Aunt Hazel is preceded in death by her parents, husband Emil, brothers Norman and Eugene. She is survived by her sisters Dee, Helen, and Norma. And many, many nieces and nephews and their families. She will always be fondly remembered as a kind and caring “Aunt Hazel” and will be greatly missed by the descendants of the Whittet and Cada Families.
Her graveside services will be held in Weiser, Idaho on Saturday, April 13, 2024 at 1:00 pm at Hillcrest Cemetery under the direction of Thomason Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.lienkaemper-thomason .com.
