Fliehler, Hazel M. 'Blondie'

Hazel M. “Blondie” Fliehler, 98, of Coralville, formerly Strawberry Point, died Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2013, at Lantern Park Nursing & Rehab Center in Coralville.

Hazel Marie Anna Baumgartner was born March 28, 1915, to Hans and Edith (Perkins) Baumgartner in the family home in Wadena, Iowa. She attended schools in Clayton County before graduating from Strawberry Point High School in 1932. While at SPHS, she took classes to prepare her to obtain the Normal Training Certification to teach country school in Iowa. Miss Baumgartner taught country school in rural Strawberry Point, for seven years before her marriage.

On her 18th birthday, she met and fell in love with Raymond Fliehler in Strawberry Point. He affectionately called her “Blondie” and that was her name from then on. Ray and Blondie were married on June 6, 1940, at St. Sebald Church. In 1941, they moved to Edgewood, where Ray set up his law practice and they started their family, eventually raising four children: Robert, James, Ellen and Jack. In 1951, they moved back to Strawberry Point where Ray opened his law and insurance office. Blondie was his “gal Friday” and worked as secretary and bookkeeper for over 40 years. Much of their time was devoted to their family and friends, camping, fishing and playing golf. Lifelong Hawkeye fans, Blondie and Ray moved to Iowa City after Ray's retirement and enjoyed many years attending Hawkeye sports events and playing even more golf. Ray and Blondie celebrated 63 years of marriage before Ray passed away in July 2003.

During her years in Strawberry Point, Blondie was a member of Emanuel Lutheran Church; the Naomi Circle at the church, a charter member, past president, and past secretary of the Point Women's Club; treasurer of the Clayton County Chapter of the American Cancer Society for 17 years; co-chairman of the Cancer Crusade for the City of Strawberry Point for 21 consecutive years; past president, past treasurer and member of the Women of the Backbone Country Club; past president of the Strawberry Point Chamber of Commerce; and a Cub Scout den mother for seven years.

Always one to keep busy, Blondie enjoyed cooking, knitting and crocheting, painting, playing cards, reading, watching sports and adding to her strawberry collection. She often led the craft lesson for the Point Women's Club and crocheted baby hats and blankets for Lutheran World Relief.

Blondie is survived by her children, Robert (Sue) Fliehler of West Des Moines, James (Kathy) Fliehler of Olathe, Kan.; Ellen Fliehler of Dubuque; and Jack (Lesanne) Fliehler of Coralville.

She is also survived by four grandchildren, Michael (Kim) Fliehler of Lenexa, Kan., Sara (Kip) Hall of Wichita, Kan., Gina Andracchio of Chicago and Katie Fliehler of Coralville; two stepgrandchildren, Casey Pinegar and Jeff (Shelley) Pinegar of West Des Moines; six great-grandchildren; her sister, Vera Mae Wilson of Waterloo; brother-in-law Almon Fliehler of Strawberry Point; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, August (Thelma), Jerry (Barbara) and Jack Baumgartner; and in-laws, Charles Wilson, Marian Fliehler, Jack and Evelyn Fliehler and William and Emogene Fliehler Clochessy.

Online condolences may be sent to .

Visitation: 9 to 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 16, at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Strawberry Point. Funeral Service: 11 a.m. Monday at the church with the Rev. Scot Roser and Al Hock officiating. Interment: Cass Township Cemetery, Strawberry Point. Leonard-Muller Funeral Home in Strawberry Point, is assisting the family with arrangements.

Published in The Gazette Dec. 13, 2013.