Harriette Josephine Essman

She was born in Des Moines to J. Andrew and Bertina (Hetland) Johnson on September 30, 1918. The family also included her two brothers, Art and Harold. Harriette loved music her entire life and was in a trio while in high school and recorded a record. She graduated from Lincoln High School in January 1937 and continued her education at Drake University where she received a Certificate of Education in 1939. She used her Education Certificate to teach elementary school at Garden Grove for one year.

While at Drake she met her future husband John Essman. Married in 1940, they made their home in Des Moines and had two children, Allen and Deanna. Harriette was a wonderful cook and shared her talent with family and friends. Other interests were church and neighborhood social gatherings and dancing. As time passed, John and Harriette moved to The Lodge of Ashworth where she continued being the matriarch for family gatherings and holidays. John passed in 2000 and Harriette remained at The Lodge. In 2010, because of health reasons, Harriette moved to Edgewater Retirement Community.

Harriette will be remembered by family, friends and her Edgewater caregivers as “sweet” with a witty sense of humor. Harriette was known as a kind and gracious person to all that met her.

Harriette was preceded in death by her parents, her husband John, her son Allen, her grandson Brad and her brothers Art and Harold.

She is survived by her daughter Deanna Essman (Max Halverson), daughter-in-law Denise Essman, grandsons Brady Essman, Barrett (Mary) Essman, great grandchildren Katherine, Zach, Eva and Joey, and many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the staff at Edgewater for their care and compassion over the last several years and also UnityPoint Hospice for their wonderful care these past few days.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church Foundation, American Red Cross or UnityPoint Hospice.