Hazel Irene Howarter, age 93, of Escondido, California, passed away on September 3, 2012, at the Family Residential Care in San Diego, California. Hazel was born on November 5, 1918, in Colony, Kansas, the daughter of Charles and Elva (Johnson) Cox. She attended country schools in the area, and graduated from Welda High School in 1936. Hazel graduated from Pittsburg State University in 1938. She was united in marriage to Ivan Howarter on June 26, 1941, in Welda, Kansas. This union was blessed with one son, Lanny. Ivan and Hazel celebrated 70 years of marriage on June 26, 2011. Hazel taught at the Pleasant Ridge Country School prior to marriage. After she and Ivan were married, they moved to San Diego where she worked for 25 years as head receptionist in a photography studio. Hazel was preceded in death by her parents; and her husband, Ivan Howarter on May 7, 2012. She is survived by her son, Lanny Howarter and wife Nancy of San Diego, California; grandson, Sean Howarter and wife Tylene of San Diego, California; great grandchildren, Logan, Peyton and Cole Howarter of San Diego, California; sister, Elsie Fraker and husband Bud of Garnett, Kansas; sister-in-law, LaVerne Howarter of Lone Elm; sister-in-law, Wanda Holmes and husband Jim of Garnett, Kansas; Wendell Howarter and wife Corine of Phoenix, Arizona; many nieces, nephews and friends. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Tuesday, September 11, 2012, at the Feuerborn Family Funeral Service Chapel in Garnett, Kansas. Burial will follow in the Lone Elm Cemetery, Lone Elm, Kansas. The family will be present to greet friends at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday morning prior to the service. Memorial contributions may be made to San Diego Hospice Foundation - 4311 3rd Avenue - San Diego, California 92103.