Hazel Marie Loomis

     Hazel Marie (Ward) Loomis, of McCook, passed away peacefully on April 26, 2026, at the age of 91, surrounded by family.

     Hazel was born during a blizzard on December 2, 1934, on the family farm east of Hayes Center. She grew up on that farm, attended rural Hayes Center schools, and graduated from Hayes Center High School in 1952.

     On May 8, 1952, Hazel married her beloved husband, Jack Loomis at the Union Congregational Church in Hayes Center. Early in their marriage, Hazel taught at District 1 and Evergreen (District 28) country schools while Jack served in the Korean War.

     The couple made their home on a farm east of Hayes Center, where they raised their three sons: Benjie, Danny, and Scott. They were longtime members of the Evergreen Union Church, where Hazel was active in the Evergreen Missionary Ladies. She had a deep-rooted faith in Christ. Jack and Hazel farmed and raised livestock for 55 years before moving to McCook in 2014. After relocating, they attended West First Chapel.

     Hazel was known for showing her love through her cooking. She also had a love of gardening, flowers, and bird watching. Her grandchildren were the joy of her life, and she especially cherished playing games with them.

     Hazel was preceded in death by her husband, Jack; son, Scott; her parents, Elmer and Jessie (Bratt) Ward; brother, Robert (Ruth) Ward; sister, Jeanne (Harold) Yohe; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Reed Sr. and Lela Loomis; brothers-in-law: Lamoine McKillip, Edwin (Neva) Loomis, Reed Jr. (Vonda) Loomis, Donald Loomis, and Ronald Loomis; and a special niece, Carla McKillip.

     She is survived by her sons, Benjie (Marie) Loomis and Danny (Jackie) Loomis, both of Maywood, NE; sisters, Betty McKillip of McCook, Irene (Richard) Oglesby of Sherman, TX, and Becky (Richard) Busboom of Dannebrog, NE; sister-in-law, LeVerda Loomis of Arvada, CO; 13 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

     Visitation will be held on Sunday, May 3, 2026 from 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM at Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel in McCook.

     Funeral services are scheduled for 10:30 AM on Monday morning, May 4, 2026 at the West First Chapel in McCook. Lunch and time of fellowship is planned for 1:00 PM at the Hayes Center Community Building on the Hayes Center Fairgrounds. Burial in the Hayes Center Cemetery, scheduled for 2:30 PM, will follow the meal.

     Memorials are suggested to Hayes County Volunteer Fire and Rescue in Hazel's name. Online condolences may be left at herrmannfh.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel of McCook.