Mariannette Harter

Mariannette was born near Hamilton in Steuben County, Indiana to Maynard and Alta Marie (Fifer) Burrell. From the age of five years through high school graduation, Mariannette lived on the family dairy farm in Fremont, Indiana with older brother Martell, and two younger brothers, Marvin and Howard. She graduated from Fremont High School in the class of 1957 and went on to study at Parkview Hospital Fort Wayne to obtain her technical certificate as a radiology technician. After three years of study, she transitioned back to Angola to work at Elmhurst Hospital. In 1960 she married, and later gave birth to a daughter, Lori, and a son, Brian.

While raising two young children on her own, she began a new career at Moore Business Forms working as a data entry clerk. She supported her children and continued to be very active on the family farm in Fremont. She retired from Moores after more than 30 years of service.

After retirement, Mariannette enjoyed traveling by RV with her neighbor as well as her brother Marvin. Together they camped and explored new places, often setting out in their shared golf cart to take in the sights at a slower, more appreciative pace. Mariannette also, frequently traveled to Indianapolis to visit Lori and those visits became more frequent once grandsons Elliot and Simon arrived. She became known among Lori‘s friends in Indianapolis, as a warm and generous presence whose visits were eagerly anticipated— not least because she arrived bearing dozens of homemade cookies, lovingly baked, and meant to be shared. One of her most enjoyed highlights for 9 summers was a special vacation week spent at Jellystone Park on Barton Lake, camping in a cabin with the Harter boys. This week always included plenty of s’mores, ice cream, crafts, Golf cart rides, campfires and always bringing along Mariannette’s La-Z-Boy for her sleeping accommodations.

In 2019, Mariannette moved to Cameron Woods, where she resided very happily for seven years. She looked forward to bingo, crafts, monthly sunrise breakfast, and of course, games with friends. She was quite a pro at Rumikub and Tri-ominoes as well as wii-bowling.

Mariannette is survived by her children, Lori Harter of Indianapolis, and Brian Harter of Angola, Indiana; by her grandsons, Elliot Fifer Harter and Simon Burrell Harter. She was preceded in death by her parents, Maynard and Alta Marie Burrell and her brothers Martell and Marvin Burrell.

Visitation will be held from 1:00 pm until 2:30 pm Saturday, May 16, 2026 at Beams Funeral Home, Fremont, Indiana.

A Memorial Service will follow at 2:30 pm Saturday at Beams Funeral Home, Fremont, Indiana. Pastor Rodney Snyder will officiate the service.

Memorial contributions in her memory may be directed to the Alzheimer's and Dementia Services of Northern Indiana, 111 Sunnybrook Ct., South Bend, Indiana 46637.