Obituary: Alta Hazel (Ward) Vanderflught
Alta Hazel (Ward) Vanderflught
(1934-2025)
Alta Hazel (Ward) Vanderflught, better known as Hazel, was born September 24, 1934, in Leon, Iowa. She was the oldest daughter born to Floyd “Curly” and Virginia (McAdam) Ward.
Hazel was united in marriage to Donald Eugene Vanderflught on January 17, 1952. To this union was born 6 children: Randy Gene, Steven Chris, Harold Wayne, Allen Lee, Michael Eugene, Julie Ann.
Hazel was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She worked right alongside Don on the farm. For several years, Hazel worked at Graceland College in the Dietary department. After retiring from Graceland, she enjoyed her farm, raising and caring for her flowers. Hazel was a great cook and was known for her homemade chocolate angel food cake. Hazel was baptized and was a longtime member of the Grand River Methodist Church. Hazel loved to travel to the Colorado mountains, and she always said she was a gypsy at heart! When she was younger, she enjoyed barrel racing. Hazel loved her family; she enjoyed visiting with her lifelong neighbors Don and Marge Hewlett; and will be remembered as a lady who never met a stranger.
Hazel passed away August 29, 2025. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Don on August 8, 2008; son Randy on May 9, 2024; sister Caroline Gray on July 5, 2006; brothers and sisters-in-law Roger Hamilton, Danny Gray, Russell and Lena Vanderflught, Leroy and Phyllis Vanderflught, Raymond and Alice Rush, and Juanita Mills.
Those left to cherish her memory include her children Steve of Grand River, IA, Harold and wife Laura Vanderflught of Kellerton, IA, Allen & wife Colleen Vanderflught of St Charles, IA, Mike & wife Tina Vanderflught of Kellerton, IA, Julie & husband Bert Manar of Branson West, MO; daughter-in-law Jane Vanderflught of Kellerton, IA; 19 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren, 8 great great grandchildren; sister Mary Hamilton of Norwalk, IA; nieces, nephews, Vicki King and close neighbors and friends.
Visitation was held Tuesday, September 2, 2025, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. with service 10 a.m. Wednesday, September 3, all at Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr, Iowa. Burial followed in the Grand River Cemetery. Memorials are to EveryStep Hospice.
