Hazel M. Salo passed away on Thursday, June 26, 2025.  Hazel Marie Salo was born on February 10, 1927, the youngest of nine children, on the family homestead in Lakeside township, Poplar, WI to Hulda and David Salo along with 8 brothers.  Imagine!  Farm life was hard.  Her mom passed away when she was 16 and she said "I became the mom".  The chores in and out of the home became hers to do in addition to wrangling those brothers.  Hazel was a great student, but after finishing the 10th grade, she took care of her dad. He passed away when she was 19 years old. Up until just recently, she talked about going home and caring for him.

Hazel met a very handsome Army sergeant, Joe Bongiovanni, who was recruiting in the Superior region.  They married and had five children.  David and the twins were very premature and they passed soon after birth.  After their eternal heartbreak, daughters, Mila Earhart and Gina (Boo) Petersen carried on the legacy.  Hazel had 8 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and 6 great-great-grandchildren.  Unfortunately, the marriage didn't last and she had to go into the work environment to support her family.  Hazel also had room in her heart as a single parent of two girls to bring to our family, her niece, Penny Mangrum, to raise as her own with much love.  We became forever sisters.   She really enjoyed her time in Mesa, often sending pictures of her sitting in the warm sun.  Penny and her family visited often.  Hazel was a lifetime member of the Women of the Moose.  She held many leadership roles and the Moose family gave her joy and friendship.  She also belonged to the VFW Ladies Auxiliary.  Hazel loved to knit gifts for family and friends and painted adorable children's quilts.  She was an avid reader and worked daily cross word and jigsaw puzzles.

Hazel was survived by many nieces and nephews.

Hazel's legacy will continue with her daughters, Mila, Gina and Penny; grandchildren, Laura, Melissa, Jason, Christopher, Heidi, Sarah, Greg and Naomi; great and great-great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and a special, loving friend, Marilyn Wickstrom.

She was preceded in death by her parents and 8 brothers, Art, Reino, Walter, Roy, Frank, Edward, Carl and Eino.

The Finnish have a word that describes our mom – SISU.  Intestinal fortitude, persistence, stubborn determination – you get the picture!

On behalf of Hazel and her family, we wish to thank Brewster Village for their awesome care and caring of our precious and unique, feisty mom.

Mom saved this poem ~

Touch

What matters the most.

If I may boast

About things we share

Is nothing much

But to feel your touch

And know you're really there.

Credit: Norman A. Shpiesel

MOM – We love and miss you so unbearably much.  Thank you for everything you have given us.

A private, family graveside service will be held at a future date.