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Loren E. Hazen, age 21, gave his life while heroically trying to help a struggling friend Sunday, July 17, 2011 during a long swim on Torch Lake.He was born on July 19, 1989 in Big Rapids to Lawrence A. Hazen and Barbara J. (Cool) Woodhams. Loren graduated from Kalkaska High School in 2007 where he was known as a "gentleman and real nice kid". He graduated in 2009 from Alpine Community College as an apprentice lineman and was attending Baker College in Cadillac where he was studying to become a paramedic. Loren was a volunteer firefighter for the Boardman Township Fire Department Station #9. He worked at Shetler Dairy and Ken Allen Trucking.Loren was an accomplished barrel rider who loved horses. He was a member of the International Barrel Racing Association and the National Ropers Association. Loren will be remembered as "a polite young cowboy full of country virtue who valued his family and friends".He was a member of the Kalkaska Church of Christ. Family and friends will always remember Loren as a unique, one of a kind person who was always the first person to volunteer to help anyone. He was selfless, had a big heart, and died the way he lived - a hero.Loren is survived by his mother and step-father, Barbara J. and Mike Woodhams of Kalkaska; his father and step-mother, Larry A. and Cathy Hazen of Barryton; his siblings Eric M. Woodhams of Kalkaska, Olivia Marie Hazen of Barryton, and Victoria Ann Powers of Barryton; his beloved girlfriend, Miranda Ploeger of Carlton; his 2 cherished companions, his dog Jake and his horse Tuff; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.Loren was preceded in death by his sister Stephanie Spurbeck who passed away in 2006; his grandparents, Loren and Evelyn Hazen; and his maternal grandmother Roberta Cool.A memorial service honoring Loren will be held on Friday, July 22, 2011 at 5:00 p.m. at the home of Barbara and Mike Woodhams, 2665 Krumlauf Road SE, Kalkaska. Jeff Badgero of the Kalkaska Church of Christ will be officiating.Memorial contributions may be given to Boardman Township Fire Department Station #9, P.O. Box 88, South Boardman, MI 49680.Condolences may be left online at www.wolfeoneill.com.Arrangements were made by Wolfe-O'Neill Funeral Home, our family serving yours.

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Loren Hazen

July 19, 1989 - July 17, 2011