Hazel Amelia (Leist) Harmeling

Hazel Amelia (Leist) Harmeling of Horton Bay, Michigan, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Tuesday, March 18, 2025.  Hazel was born on November 2, 1937, in Horton Bay to Charles and Gertrude Leist.

Hazel was a lifelong resident of Horton Bay.  She first went to school at the North Bay School and then graduated from Boyne City High School.  On March 2, 1968, she married Robert Harmeling with whom she has shared a full life for 57 years.

Hazel worked at First National Bank in Petoskey.  She then worked full time as a wife and as a mom to her sons Michael (Horton Bay, MI) and Steven (Sydney, Australia).

Hazel’s passion in life was in helping others.  She volunteered for over 15 years for the Petoskey Salvation army and another 15 years at Challenge Mountain in Boyne City.  She had a special talent for growing roses and farming, but her super-power was sewing.  She sewed clothes, quilts, anything someone needed.  She sewed costumes for the Boyne City High School Drama Department for over 35 years, where her infectious smile was a bright spot for hundreds of students.  She passed on her skills to anyone interested, especially her grandchildren. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Francis Patrick, her brother Frank Leist, her brother Ronald Leist, and her brother Milo Leist.

She is survived by her husband Bob, her sons Mike (Andrea) and Steve (Juliana), her grandchildren Anna, Katie, Megan, Ben, Aaron, and Jillian, her sister Kathleen, her sister Dorothy, and many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the staff of The Care Team for their wonderful care.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Care Team Hospice.

A memorial gathering will be held at a later date.

Services are in the care of Stackus Funeral Home.