Hazel Leininger, age 99, of Cooperstown, ND, died Saturday, July 9, in the Cooperstown Medical Center Nursing Home. Hazel Rood was born September 10, 1911, at Pekin, ND, to Martin and Hannah(Hanson) Rood. She attended first grade in Sutton, ND, and then began school in Cooperstown and graduated from there in 1929. That summer, at the age of 17, she went to college at Mayville State College and then began her teaching career in the fall - not yet 18 years of age. The next summer she attended Valley City State College and then continued teaching in the rural schools of Griggs County, ND, for a total of nine years.

On June 21, 1939, Hazel married Kenneth (KJ) Leininger, in Cooperstown, ND. Shortly after their marriage they moved to Gary, Indiana, where their son John was born in November of 1940. In 1941, they moved back to rural Binford to farm with Ken's dad. They resided on the family farm, raising a son and three daughters, until 2004 when they both entered the Cooperstown Medical Center Nursing Home.

Hazel's life revolved around her church, Zion Lutheran of rural Binford, her work at home and her family. She was a good leader and a great organizer. A number of years were spent as president of the Lutheran Women's Missionary League (LWML) at Zion Lutheran and also Sunday School superintendent. Hazel was also president of the Binford PTA where her children attended school. She faithfully followed her children’s activities and attended many of her grandchildren’s sports and school events, also. She always had a big garden and filled the shelves with processed fruit and vegetables that lasted the year around. She loved big birthday and anniversary celebrations. Her family was busy preparing for her 100th birthday celebration to be held in September. Now only the location of that celebration has changed and she has different people to celebrate with in heaven - including her husband Ken.

Hazel is survived by four children: John (Linda) Leininger, Binford, ND, Kay (Thomas) Gylten, Rapid City, SD, Karen Alm, Page, ND, Lynn (Quentin) Spitzer, Kensal, ND; two sisters, Blanche Stangeland, Carrington, ND, and Elaine Brosnahan, Seattle, WA, and one brother, Stanley (Donna) Rood of Seattle, Washington. She is also survived by 14 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great-grandchildren. Hazel was preceded in death by her husband Kenneth, her parents, her brothers, Leonard and Milton; two grandsons, Michael Gylten and Brandon Spitzer, a great-granddaughter, Kyza Alm, and one son-in-law, Rick Alm.

The funeral service will be held at Zion Lutheran Church of rural Binford, on Thursday, July 14, 2011, at 10:30 a.m. Officiating will be Reverend Charles E. Johnson. Organist will be Karen Ramsey. Casketbearers will be John (Chuck) Leininger, Corey Alm, Daniel Gylten, Justin Leininger, James Gylten & Lisa Sand. Visitation will be held at the Cooperstown Funeral Chapel on Wednesday, July 13, 2011 from 5 - 7 p.m. with a prayer & fellowship service at 7 p.m. Interment will be in the Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery of rural Binford.