MUKWONAGO - Hazel B. Artz, 89, of Mukwonago, formerly of Big Bend, died Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2002, at the LindenGrove Health Care Center in Mukwonago.

Hazel was born June 16, 1913, in Vernon, a daughter of the late William and Ella (nee Kaske) Kuess Sr. She graduated from Waukesha High School in 1931. On Nov. 10, 1932, she married Clarence Artz.

She worked the switchboard at Big Bend Telephone, had worked at the Veterans Affairs Hospital in Waukesha, as well as Boldt Butter and Eggs in Tess Corners, Schuster's in Milwaukee and Cid Harris Sewing Co. in Waukesha. Hazel was an artist who liked ceramics and she loved to paint. She enjoyed needlework and playing cards. She enjoyed life.

Hazel is survived by two daughters, Carol (Gene) Kolakowski of Santa Barbara, Calif., and Karen (Mickey) Cook of Dousman; four grandchildren, Sandra (Don) Hofer of Wind Lake, Kerry Kolakowski of Sturtevant, David (Sandi) Kolakowski of Chico, Calif., and Susan Burdette of Flagstaff, Ariz.; and two great-grandchildren, Steven Hofer and Tylar Kolakowski. She is also survived by two brothers, William (Arlyce) Kuess Jr. of Radisson and Donald (Janet) Kuess of Waukesha; her two sisters, Pearl Hurley of Milwaukee and Eleanor Kranpitz of Cincinnati; along with many other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Clarence Artz; a grandson, Monty Burdette; and two sisters, Helen Kuess and Genevieve Picard.

The funeral service for Hazel will be held at noon today, Dec. 13, at Cesarz, Charapata & Zinnecker Funeral Home, 237 N. Moreland Blvd. The Rev. John Brown, pastor of Vernon United Presbyterian Church in Vernon, will be the officiant. Burial will be in the Vernon United Presbyterian Cemetery. Friends may call from 10:30 a.m. until the time of the service at noon today at the funeral home.