Hazel Irene Burgess

Hazel Irene Winger was born in Pomona, Kansas, April 14, 1935 to Doris Bell Bushnell Winger and Guy Winger. She grew up in Humansville, Missouri where she graduated high school in 1953. She attended Burge School of Nursing in Springfield, Missouri where she graduated as a Registered Nurse in September 1956. June of 1956, Rev. Richard Lee Burgess came to be the pastor of the Humansville Methodist Church. Hazel returned home after graduating and attended Sunday worship to the surprise of the local pastor Rev. Richard, who began courting her. Grandma Winger soon started setting an extra plate on the table every time the noon whistle rang. They were married June 16, 1957. Together, they raised four children, Michael Lee (1958), Mark Richard (1959), Deborah Irene (1962), and Ruth Christine (1966).

She accompanied her husband on his moves to Warsaw, Kansas City, and Marionville, Missouri. They transferred to Nebraska and lived in Laurel, Cambridge, York, Stanton, Hastings, Ogallala, Elkhorn, and retired to Omaha. She continued her nursing career working in hospitals, nursing homes, emergency rooms, and hospital surgery; retiring after 47 years of nursing. She taught CPR for many years with the Red Cross and American Heart Association. She was a Board Member of AFSCME (American Federal and State Committee of Medical Employees), and a President of the Northeast Nebraska EMS (Emergency Medical System). Hazel was also President of the Olive Crest Day Care Board for a few years, and an active member of the VFW Auxiliary after retirement.

She was a Boy Scout Den Mother, a Camp Fire Girls Leader, a 4-H Leader, a Girl Scout leader, a Band Parent and Nurse for Band trips for all four children, and the honorary house mother of AKL (Alpha Kappa Lambda) Fraternity at Nebraska Wesleyan University. She enjoyed sewing, gardening, playing board games, and cake decorating.

She passed away on Monday, April 4 at 3:37 p.m. at Methodist Hospital in Omaha, following a month-long illness.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Doris and Guy Winger, her brothers, Darrel Winger, and George Winger and her son, Mark, her daughter-in-law, Deborah Merriweather Burgess, and the families beloved dog, Easy Jay. She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Rev. Richard Lee Burgess, her son Rev. Michael Burgess, her daughters and son-in-laws, Deborah and Joel Halpern, and Ruth and Rev. George Masciarelli. Her grandkids , Precyus Jalbert, Janay Merriweather, Adana Merriweather, Michael Halpern, and Anthony Masciarelli. Her great grandkids , Aveiya Jalbert, Korbin Jalbert, and Elias Jalbert. And many others who called her Mom B and Grandma B.

Honorary Pall Bearers include Derek Williams, Doug Jalbert, George Masciarelli, Joel Halpern, , Kurt Lambrecht, Timothy Urwiler, Justin Drake, John Earley, , Georgetta Winger, and Gabrielle (Gabbie) Staben.

Funeral Services will be held at Olive Crest UMC 7180 N. 60th St on Friday April, 8th at 2 pm.
Visitation at the church before the service from 11:30-1:30.
Internment to follow later in Humansville, MO

Memorial gifts can be made to
- Methodist Hospital Foundation-Foundation Nursing Scholarship at Nebraska Methodist College, mail to Methodist Hospital Foundation, 8701 W. Dodge Road, Suite 450, Omaha, NE 68114 (Julie Raether 402-354-7256 - Director of College Advancement)
- Methodist Foundation Hospital, Irene Cole Wilson Trust Fund, 8401 W. Dodge Road, Suite 225, Omaha, NE 68114 (402-354-4825), foundation@nmhs.org. (fund that assists with hospital expenses)
- Olive Crest UMC
- Nebraska Humane Society
- Heifer International
- your local Emergency Rescue Squad

In lieu of flowers, please plant a tree, "We are Nebraskans, it is the Arbor Day state!"
https://shop.arborday.org/campaign/reforestation-donation/give?utm_source=arborday.org&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=03667&utm_content=header