Our beloved mother, Hazel Jean Muller, passed away on Monday, Oct. 12, at the age of 88, surrounded by family.
“Jean” was born and raised in Lyman by Joe Powers and Nellie (Fackrell) Powers Sears. Working at the family businesses, gas station and motel, didn’t distract mom from her studies. Jean was the Valedictorian of her class, earning a scholarship to University of Wyoming. Her attendance there was brief, leaving to work for the airlines and several secretarial jobs before completing her education at Eastern Montana College in Billings.
Posting in the Gazette was a natural choice, having moved to Kemmerer in the early 1970s to start her career and raise her three children. Jean taught office machines, bookkeeping and shorthand at the high school. She directed several plays and escorted students on their European trip. She was active in the community and built the Villa West Apartments across from the football field. Many lifelong friendships and memories were forged in Kemmerer before moving to Utah in the late ’80s.
Jean was immensely talented. Retirement allowed her hobbies to flourish, which included oil painting, making quilts and writing and illustrating three children’s books. Family filled her remaining time, which was her greatest hobby of all.
She is survived by her children, Brian Muller and Julie (Wagner) Down; her six grandchildren, and one great grandson.
Jean was preceded in death by her daughter, Jaymee Grimm; and siblings, Joyce Rountree and Mark Powers.
A service to celebrate her amazing life will be held in Lyman at the LDS chapel located at 3815 Highway 414 on Saturday, Oct. 24. Viewing will be at noon, followed by the chapel service at 2 p.m.
