Hazel Elsie (Roe) McCracken, 89, of Idaho Falls, died Tuesday, August 22, 2017, due to the effects of Alzheimer's, at Tambree Meadows Assisted Living Center in Idaho Falls. She was under the care of Encompass Hospice.

Hazel was born on July 26, 1928, to Joseph Wesley and Mildred Boaz Roe, in Clyde, Kansas. She was the 6th child in the family of eight children. She graduated from high school in Belleville, Kansas.

On September 8, 1947, she married Duane Henry McCracken, in Belleville, Kansas. They lived in Belleville where she worked at Duckwalls Variety Store and Duane worked as a mechanic in the Republic County garage. Two children were born to this union, Karen and Tim.

In 1956, they moved to Idaho Falls, Idaho. She worked for many years at Sears while Duane worked for the City of Idaho Falls as a heating and air conditioning inspector. While working for Sears she established a lifelong friendship with Beth Murdoch. After her children were married, she went back to school and earned her Licensed Practical Nurse certificate from Eastern Idaho Technical College at age 50 and then worked as an office nurse for local doctors. In 1987, Duane needed medical care from the VA Hospital in Boise so they moved to Middleton, Idaho. Duane died on February 11, 1994, and she returned to Idaho Falls in 2000.

She was an active member of the Methodist church in Middleton, Idaho where she still has many close friends.

Hazel enjoyed crocheting and other handwork, reading, and her daily crossword puzzles. She was a talented, self-taught pianist. She accompanied her brothers who sang and played guitars in their youth. She also fostered a love of music in her family and applauded their accomplishments. She was also an avid gardener and would can much of her produce each year.

She enjoyed travelling, and after she and her brother Lonnie had both lost their spouses they traveled extensively with several ocean cruises and tours of the Eastern US, Canada and Germany.

She was a gracious hostess, an exceptional cook, and confectioner. Friends and family enjoyed delicious meals, fresh cookies out of the oven, and special treats at Christmas, such as sugar plums, divinity, chocolate covered cherries and various flavors of fudge. She enjoyed life and will also be remembered for her quick wit and sense of humor.

She is survived by her children: Karen (Randell) Brown, and Tim (Debra) McCracken, both of Idaho Falls, Idaho; her brother, Lonnie (Betty) Roe, of Axtel, Kansas; her sister-in-law, Ruth Kaufman, of Topeka, Kansas; 7 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Duane H. McCracken; her parents: Joseph and Mildred Roe; her sisters: Mildred, Mary and Violet; her brothers: Robert, Joseph and Kenneth.

In lieu of flowers the family suggest that you donate to her favorite charity the Disabled Veterans National Foundation online at https://donate.dvnf.org/Default.aspx?tsid=8593 or you can call 1-888-782-2148.

The family will receive friends from 6-8:00 p.m., Thursday, August 31, 2017, at Coltrin Mortuary, 2100 First Street, Idaho Falls. Condolences may be sent online at www.coltrinmortuary.com .