Hazel Marie Grasz, age 96, of Noth Platte, Nebraska, passed away Thursday, September 3, 2026, at Linden Court.

Marie was born February 15, 1930, in North Platte to Ernest Edward and Janie Elizabeth (Powell) Steel. There she spent her childhood, ultimately graduating from North Platte High School in 1947. She then went on to continue her education at business school, while working at a finance and insurance office. While in school, Marie met Harvey Grasz at a barn dance. While they didn’t dance that night, or even officially date until the following year, they had a deep kinship. They liked the same things and began finding joy in a life together. Though Marie was hesitant to get married, when asked if she would “wear his ring,” Marie thought that was something she could do. The two were wed on June 25, 1950, and to their Union was born their three children: Sharon, Barb, and Roger. They stayed married over 60 years until Harvey’s passing in 2011.

Marie was a lifelong member of the North Platte community, living her whole life there aside from 5 years. She was a member of multiple area dance clubs, most notably the Good Time Dancers. She was a fan of fishing, starting from a young age when her dad woke her up early to catch crappie. She loved gardening and sewing, and preferred to keep to herself except for when around loved ones. In her free time, she enjoyed cards, games, puzzles, and especially sudoku. She disliked technology, only able to stand a smart phone for about an hour before returning to her tried and true phone. She was a strong woman, only crying to Shriley Temple movies. But most of all, she will be remembered for her kindness and generosity. She loved sharing fruits of her labor, often giving neighbors and friends canned pickles, corn, sauce, and chicken after making sure her family was taken care of.

Those left to cherish Marie’s memory are her daughters Sharon L. (Steve) Duennerman of Alma and Barbara J. (Mark Votaw) Grasz of Wellfleet; son Roger D. Grasz of North Platte; granddaughters Amy Votava of North Platte, Kayla Grasz of Lincoln, Holly Grasz of North Platte, Samantha (Darby) Oertwig of Amherst, and Stephanie (Mike) Kenney of Papillion; great-grandchildren Noah Brown, Maddox Votava, Hannah Votava, Carson Kenney, Harper Oertwig; and many more relatives and friends too numerous to mention.

She is preceded in death by her husband Harvey, parents Ernest and Janie, and brother Wes (Joy) Steel.

Funeral services will be held at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at 10 a.m. with Pastor Jeremy Rinke officiating. Graveside services will follow at Fort McPherson National Cemetery at 11 a.m. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 8, from noon to 7 p.m., with family receiving friends from 5 to 7, at Adams & Swanson Funeral Home, which has been entrusted with arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Callahan Cancer Center. Online condolences and expressions of sympathy may be shared at adamsswasnon.com.