Laursen, Harriette Claire (1926-2015)
LAURSEN, SHIRK, KRICK, BRUNER, ANDERSON, BROWER, ARCHULETA, WELLENDORF, RAASCH
Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 12/18/2015 at 11:20:03
Harriette Claire Laursen
November 7, 1926 - December 1, 2015Harriette C. Laursen, age 89, of Newell, Iowa, died on Tuesday, December 1, 2015, at the Newell Good Samaritan Society in Newell.
Harriette Claire Shirk, the third child of William E. “Ed” and Jessie (Krick) Shirk, was born in Ida Grove, Iowa, on November 7, 1926. Baptized into the Christian faith, she joined her loved ones in Heaven on this past Tuesday.
As she was growing up in Ida Grove, many relatives, neighbors, and friends influenced her life. She was active in her church and enjoyed many school activities including sports and music. After graduating from Ida Grove High School in 1944, she worked at the Ida County State Bank.
On February 26, 1947, Harriette married Chris M. Laursen of Battle Creek, Iowa, at the Ida Grove Church of God. Subsequently, they were blessed with four children. They farmed in Battle Creek and Ida Grove areas for several years before moving to Newell, Iowa, in 1960. A member of Nain Lutheran Church, she served as Sunday School Superintendent, teacher, and council member. In addition, in recognition of her beautiful voice, she became the choir director.
Harriette held various jobs throughout the years. She worked for World Book, Varina Grain, the Good Samaritan Society, and the Newell Schools as a bus driver and ESL teacher. Moreover, she, actively, promoted community projects and civic groups including the centennial celebration, Newell Happenings, the Business & Professional Women’s Organization, and the Newell Golf Club. At home, she nurtured her garden and generously shared flowers, produce, and baked goods. She loved to take her children and grandchildren fishing, camping, golfing, and for rides on her Honda 70. An ardent Mustang fan, she, also very much, enjoyed her children's and grandchildren's school activities. In addition, by sharing her love of golf, she taught young children how to play, and she was always ready for a good card game.
A loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, Harriette is survived by her husband of sixty-eight years, Chris Laursen, of Newell, Iowa; three children: Cynthia (Doug) Bruner, of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, Susan (John) Anderson, of Yankton, South Dakota, and Lynn (Tami) Laursen, of Lakeside, Iowa; her son-in-law, Arlin Brower, of Saratoga, Wyoming; nine grandchildren: Jerod Bruner, of Nashville, Tennessee, Jaime (Al) Archuleta, of Brighton, Colorado, Rhett (Autumn) Bruner, of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, John W. Anderson, of Yankton, South Dakota, Wade Brower, of Scottsdale, Arizona, Tyler Anderson, of Omaha, Nebraska, Garrett Bruner of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, Katelyn Laursen, of Grimes, Iowa, and Blake Laursen, of Lakeside, Iowa; two great granddaughters, Linden and Mila Bruner, of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee; one great grandson, Jase Archuleta, of Brighton, Colorado; her sister, Virginia Wellendorf, of Ida Grove, Iowa; and her sister-in-law, Leona Laursen, of Battle Creek, Iowa; as well as by many nieces, nephews, and friends.
Harriette was preceded in death by her parents; her daughter, Sharen; her sister, Betty (Ray) Raasch; her brother, Jim (Ardith) Shirk; her brothers-in-law, Darrel Wellendorf and Earl Laursen. All who knew and loved her, will miss her loyalty, ready smile, and caring compassion. A tragic event in her life occurred in 2001 when she lost her oldest daughter, Sharen, in a traffic accident.
Funeral services will be held Friday, December 4, 2015, at 1:30 p.m. at the Nain Lutheran Church in Newell. Burial will follow in the Newell Cemetery. Visitation will take place on Thursday, December 3, 2015, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements.
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