Hazel Von Roeder

Hazel E. Royder Von Roeder, age 102 of Bryan, passed away Monday, July 29, 2024. Hazel was born September 14, 1921, in Wellborn, Texas, to John S. Royder and Prue Baker Royder. Her family roots in the Wellborn community ran deep, starting in the one room schoolhouse she and her siblings attended.

In 1940, Hazel graduated from A&M Consolidated and went on to attend nursing school at Jefferson Davis Hospital in Houston, Texas. While in nurses training, Hazel made many lifelong friends with her classmates.

Upon graduation in 1944, she joined the Army Nurse Corp and was stationed at Fort Bliss in El Paso, TX during World War II. Hazel relentlessly tended to wounded soldiers returning from battle, including paratrooper turned soulmate, Hubert Forney. On June 19, 1946, they married in a joint military ceremony on base, resulting in her honorable discharge as second lieutenant.

After losing Hubert to polio only three years later, Hazel returned to Texas and her nursing career, before the Korean War drew her back to service. In 1950, she enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and was assigned as a flight nurse in the Military Air Transport Service (MATS), where she met the father of her three daughters and was honorably discharged again – this time as captain.

In addition to being a mother and wife, she unknowingly helped forge the way for other women to have a profession and serve in the military, as it is today.

Before settling in Bryan in 1965, Hazel served tirelessly as a registered nurse in various capacities and across multiple states including, Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana. She retired from the Texas Department of Long Term Care as a Nurse Surveyor in May 1991.

Most recently, she joined other World War II veterans for an honor flight to Hawaii for the 80^th commemoration of Pearl Harbor. She proudly represented her country until the end, only wishing she could’ve served longer.

To know Hazel, was to love her and her unwavering patriotism. All that had the pleasure of meeting her knew her quick wit, “spunk,” and passion for serving others. In later years, other great joys included decorating her home for the holidays, especially Christmas, when her elaborate display would draw special visitors year in and year out.

Hardworking, determined and persevering will forever embody the small but mighty woman, and the lasting legacy she leaves behind in everyone’s heart.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Hubert Forney; daughter, Jill Von Roeder; son-in-law, Joseph M. Rothe and three brothers.

Survivors include daughter and son-in-law, Dee Ann and Elmer Schneider of Bryan; daughter and son-in-law, Penny and Regan Rychetsky of Taylor; granddaughter, Kathryn and (husband) David Dockery; grandson, Kristofer and (wife) Whitley Rothe; granddaughter, Courtney and (husband) Cody Wilson; grandson, Preston Rychetsky; great grandchildren: Katelynn Dockery, Andrew Dockery, Landyn Rothe, Brenner Rothe, Rowe Wilson; and a brother and sister.

For those who desire, memorial contributions can be made to Quilts for Vets, the Best Defense Foundation or Hospice Brazos Valley.

The family of Hazel Von Roeder encourages everyone to wear Red, White, and Blue to the visitation and funeral.