Harriet Mead

Harriet E. Mead, age 89, of Willmar, died Wednesday, January 21, at Bethesda Heritage Center Nursing Home in Willmar.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 24, at the First Presbyterian Church. Interment will be at Fairview Cemetery in Willmar. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, January 23, at Peterson Brothers Funeral Home in Willmar and will continue for one hour prior to the service at the church.

Harriet Elizabeth Mead was born on January 22, 1925, in Canby, Minnesota, the daughter of Edward and Elizabeth (Benck) Melby. She grew up and received her education in Canby and was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. On January 25, 1942, in Marshall, Minnesota, Harriet was united in marriage to Lowell Gordon Mead. In 1961, they moved to Willmar. Harriet worked in her home raising and caring for her family. Harriet's hobbies included crocheting, cooking, gardening, listening to music and babysitting for her grandchildren.

She is survived by her seven children, Carol (and Donald) Danielson of Braham, Pam (and Bruce) Quimby of Willmar, Lola (and Ralph) Bratts of Maynard, Kelly (and June) Mead of Granite Falls, Dawn (and Jerry) Slagter of Roseland, Patty Mead of Roseland and Becky (and Cary) Holmgren of Clara City; thirty-two grandchildren; forty-two great grandchildren and five great great grandchildren. Also surviving are two brothers, Henry Melby of Iowa and David Melby of Arkansas, besides other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Lowell in 1987; one son and daughter-in-law, Lowell "Skip" and Darla Mead; one foster grandson, Amos Burbaum; two sisters, Edna Engum and Phyllis Mead and one brother, Norman Melby.

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