Harrison, Mary L. 1934-2012

HARRISON, THOMS, BROWN

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/17/2013 at 10:59:57

Friday, December 14, 2012
Le Mars Daily Sentinel

Mary L. Harrison, 78, of Le Mars, died Thursday, Dec. 13, 2012, at Sunset Manor in Irene, S.D.

Mary L. Thoms was born Feb. 13, 1934, in Le Mars, the daughter of Elmer and Florence (Brown) Thoms. Mary was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church. She was united in marriage to Robert A. Harrison July 6, 1951, in Worthington, Minn.

Soon after marriage, she and Bob started a family, and Bob was transferred to Fort Dodge shortly thereafter, during her life she lived in Le Mars, Fort Dodge, Burnsville, Minn., and Irene, S.D.

When Bob retired in 1984, they returned to Le Mars and purchased an acreage outside of Le Mars. Mary said that their acreage was the highlight of their lives, living and taking care of that acreage. Many family gatherings took place there. Mary was a resident of Le Mars most of her life, but after Bob died she sold her home in 2011 and moved to Irene, S.D., to be closer to her family.

Mary was a fabulous cook, and her family lived for her pies, macaroni salad, and potato salad which were loved by all. Even though she admits to not liking to cook and never thought of herself as a good one, everyone knew better.

Mary is survived by her five children, Robert "Bobbie" Harrison, of Fort Dodge, Paul Harrison, of Irene, S.D., Keith Harrison and his wife Carol, of Fort Dodge, RoxAnne Addington and her husband Jon, of Sandy, Utah, and Mary Jo Mikkelsen of Irene, S.D.; seven grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, a brother Jerry Thoms and his wife Hester and a sister Janice (Thoms) Heidbrink of Le Mars; and several nieces and nephews.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents Elmer and Florence (Brown) Thoms, her spouse of 59 years Robert A. Harrison on Aug, 4, 2010, and grandson Benjimin R. Addington.

A Celebration of Life Service will be 1 p.m. Monday, at Carlsen Funeral Home in Le Mars with the Rev. Gary Landsness officiating. Visitation with the family present will be from noon until service time on Monday. Inurnment will follow at Resthaven Memory Gardens Cemetery.