Hazel Marie Kahleff was born October 31, 1928 in Fargo, ND, to Peter and Mae Kahleff. She was raised on the family farm near Argusville, ND. Hazel graduated from Fargo Oak Grove High School in 1945. Hazel married Kenneth Edwin Lewis on April 8, 1949 and they made their home in Fargo, ND. Hazel was known as the "Carousel Lady" at the Red River Zoo.