Harriet Anderson, 1927-2015

Published 9:26 am Wednesday, February 4, 2015

Memorial services for Harriet H. Anderson, 87, will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Chapel. The Rev. Judy Converse will officiate. Interment will be at a later date at Hillcrest Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Online condolences are welcome at www.bayviewfuneral.com.

Harriet Anderson

Harriet H. (Hintz) Anderson was born Feb. 10, 1927, to Walter A. and Margaret E. (Buendorf) Hintz. She grew up in Kiester Township near Walters and Mansfield.

She married Omer T. Anderson of Winnebago County, Iowa, Sept. 23, 1944. She died Friday, Jan. 30, 2015, at Lutheran Retirement Home in Northwood.

Harriet worked at a variety of occupations over the years but retired from cooking at Naeve Hospital in Albert Lea. How she made it to work in the winter, after Omer died, is still a puzzle. Apparently no snow drift was too deep at 4 a.m. The Naeve staff needed those extra cookies and sweet rolls. Harriet also had special recipes for baked beans and potato salad for extended family occasions.  She was pleased to be the German girl that knew how to make excellent Norwegian lefse and even lutefisk!

Omer and Harriet raised three sons and were thrilled when grandchildren were born. Harriet loved to indulge the grandchildren and then keep them a bit longer to spoil them just a bit more. Their driving lessons commenced early and all survived wiser and more excited for the experience. Harriet used that valuable practice to take great-grandchild indulgence to new heights. They were all extra rays of sunshine in her life and simply did not live near enough to satisfy her.

Harriet was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Omer; her sister, LeAnn Bronson; her sister, Georgeen (Phil) Ackerman; brother, Llewellyn “Louie” (Edith) Hintz; Omer’s brother, Luverne (Wilma); dear cousin, Elaine (Oscar); and late friend, Delores.

Harriet is survived by sons Steve (Joey), Loney and Don (Jane); grandchildren Heather (Chris) Thofson and Rod (Leann) Anderson; great-grandchildren Torin, Jordan, Ella and Haddie; and honorary grandchildren and great-grandchildren (Harriet claimed them, no matter how many steps were involved) Christy (Brad), Tim (Maureen), Michael,  Lucas, Jessica (Kirsten), Nathan and Andrew. She is further survived by her late sister’s husband, Kermit; her late husband’s brother, Marvin (Elaine); her former colleague and dear friend, Jeanette (Rich); and many nephews and nieces.

Harriet moved to Lutheran Retirement Home May 27, 2011, and came to regard the many people who make it what it is as extended family. She was grateful for their kind efforts to make her life comfortable.

In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to Lutheran Retirement Home in Northwood.