Obituary of Hazel L. Leopold

Hazel L. Leopold, 93, of Coffeyville, KS passed away Sunday, January 22, 2017, at Coffeyville Regional Medical Center. She was born on November 22, 1923, at Deerfield, Kansas to Solomon and Myrtle (Dyke) Biehn. Hazel grew up and attended school in Deerfield, completing her education at Holcomb, Kansas graduating from Holcomb High School. In 1944, she was united in marriage to the love of her life, Dwight W. Leopold at Enid, Oklahoma. During the early years of their marriage they lived in several different locations while her husband served in the military. Her husband preceded her in death on November 13, 2012. In 1948 they opened a bowling alley in North Kansas City, MO, shortly after that in 1952 they opened Elwood Motel in Hutchinson, KS. In 1963 they opened up a chain of five Gibson Discount stores in Coffeyville, Independence and Bartlesville, Oklahoma, Cherokee and Storm Lake Iowa. Hazel grew up in the First United Methodist Church in Garden City, Kansas. She was a Red Cross volunteer working the Blood Drive for over 35 years; her last Blood Drive was in November 2016. When she was younger she enjoyed playing the piano and violin, and singing. Her greatest enjoyment was the time she spent with her family especially her granddaughters. She is survived by three granddaughters, Kitten Leopold Strahan of Texas City, Texas, Heather Leopold of Katy, Texas, and Allison Leopold of Houston, Texas; seven great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, one son, Kent W. Leopold on November 17, 1993; one brother, Hubert Biehn; and two sisters, Irene Brown, and Iola Upchurch. Services will be at 3:00 p.m., Thursday, January 26, 2017, in the First United Methodist Church Chapel in Coffeyville with Pastor Nicole Schwartz officiating, under the direction of the David W. Barnes Funeral Home in Coffeyville. Additional Services will be at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 28, 2017, at the Garnand Funeral Home Chapel in Garden City, Kansas. Burial will follow in the Valley View Cemetery in Garden City. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to the American Red Cross Pioneer Chapter; contributions may be left with the David W. Barnes Funeral Home, 306 North Cline Road, Coffeyville, KS 67337.