Hazel Germer

8/3/1931 — 10/23/2025

Service Date: 11/1/2025
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Hazel LaVon Germer went to her heavenly home on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, lovingly surrounded by her family. She was 94 years old.

Hazel was born Aug. 3, 1931, in Burns, Ore., to Pearl Eva Kidwell and Walter Franklin Skiens. The youngest of six children, she grew up in Eastern Oregon during the Great Depression. She attended high school in Redding, Calif., finishing her senior year in Lewiston, where she graduated from Lewiston High School in 1949.

After graduation, Hazel moved to Moscow to live with her sister and worked as a secretary in the College of Science at the University of Idaho. It was in Moscow, at a St. Patrick’s Day dance in 1950, that she met the love of her life, Elwin “Speed” Germer. They were married just three months later, on June 10, 1950, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. They settled in Lewiston, where they built their life together, rooted deeply in faith, family and devotion. For nearly 72 years, Hazel and Speed set the example of a loving marriage — inseparable companions in all things.

Hazel’s greatest joy was creating a happy, loving home for her husband and children. Once their children were older, she began working as a bus driver for the Lewiston School District, a role she held for 27 years. She greeted thousands of students with warmth and kindness every morning, and she formed cherished lifelong friendships with her fellow bus drivers. In retirement, she volunteered in her granddaughter’s third grade classroom at Webster Elementary, where both staff and students adored “Grandma Hazel.”

Hazel and Speed were active Baptists, and Hazel’s love for Jesus was evident in the way she lived and raised her family in a strong Christian foundation. She was also a gifted and well-known quilter — every family member was blessed to receive one of her treasured handmade quilts.

Family was Hazel’s heartbeat. She delighted in being a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother. She kept beloved family traditions alive, especially hosting Christmas Eve at her home well into her 80s. She would spend days joyfully preparing her signature dishes and soups. In our family, no one dared to miss Christmas Eve at Grandma’s — she made it sacred, magical and unforgettable. Hazel’s greatest fulfillment was loving her family with her whole heart. Her goodbyes always ended the same way: “Love you more.”

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Hazel is survived by her children Alan Germer, Ben (Verna) Germer, Jan (John) Maguire, Karen (Dale) Andrews and Sandra (Gary) Stephens; her grandchildren Jeremy Maguire, Tara Smith, Brock Germer (Kelly Buyers), Janell (Patrick) Teichmer, Bethany (Adriel) Grijalva, Wesley (Jessica) Andrews, Allison Wright and Ashley (Josh) Stephens-Nanik; her great-grandchildren Caitlin (Conner), Johnathan, Benjamin, Kendall, Riley, Gwendolyn Hazel, Bailey, Henry, Evie, Frances, Harper, Emma, Sarah and Sam; and her great-great-grandchildren Gracie and Dean.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings, her beloved husband Speed; her infant son, John Mark; and her grandson, Jason Michael.

The family wishes to thank the dedicated staff at Life Care Center of Lewiston, whose kindness, gentleness and attentive care brought comfort to Hazel and her family in her final days.

A viewing will be held from 9-10:30 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 1, at Vassar-Rawls Funeral Home, 920 21st Ave., Lewiston, then a celebration of Hazel’s life, followed by a luncheon, will take place at 11 a.m. in Port Four at the Hells Canyon Grand Hotel, 621 21st St., Lewiston. The committal will follow at 2:30 p.m. at the Viola Cemetery.

Love you.

“Love you more.”