Harriett was born and raised in Monmouth, Illinois to Harry William and Myrtle Bell Rhea. She graduated from Monmouth College, majoring in Physical Education with a minor in Music. A motor scooter was her preferred method of getting around – often accompanied by her dog ‘Boots’. She had many talents & loved singing and playing the piano – she also played the accordion, clarinet, and organ. She was quite diverse in athletic abilities with roller skating, biking, softball pitching, basketball, volleyball & bowling. In her college days she even did a trapeze act with her friend Lou! After meeting Ken, she enthusiastically took on new challenges of downhill & cross country skiing, fishing, birding, and even hunting. After college, she taught Phy-Ed in Monmouth for one year and worked at 3M in St. Paul another year. She never intended to “settle down” to being a wife, mom and homemaker, but settle down she did, raising a family of 7 children along with her husband, Ken, of nearly 65 years (married June 14th, 1952). When it came time to announce yet another child is on the way, Harriett stood up at the dinner table and her mother-in-law proclaimed, “Oh, Harriett, sit down!” She never complained about being overworked or burdened – as they loaded 2 dogs and 7 kids in their station wagon while packing up to go to the lake, Uncle Frank commented “Harriett shouldn’t have to put up with all that!” Fortunately, seat belt laws didn’t apply back then. Throughout her life, volunteering and serving family & others was who Harriett was – church, choir, United Methodist Women President, leading neighborhood study groups, co-coordinator of God’s Closet, and tutoring at schools; Park ‘clean ups’ on her morning walks with neighbors lead to a ‘Golden Broom’ award; Welcoming new neighbors with a plate of cookies, giving notes/cards of encouragement, opening her home… Always serving, giving, smiling, sharing, loving in a way that others were drawn to her. Even after her stroke in 2008, she kept her smile and love of life and was a joy to be around! Preceded in death by parents, Harry & Myrtle Rhea; brother, William; son, Roger. Survived by husband, Ken, of 65 years; 5 daughters, Sarah (Chris), Ardeth (Gary), Donna (Rick), Julie (Lance) and Ellen (Joe); son, Fred (Shelley); daughter-in-law, Sue (Bob); 17 grandchildren, and 8 great grandchildren with #9 due in September. In lieu of flowers, donations suggested to ‘The Beloved’ church, or God’s Closet (write check to ‘The Beloved’ & put ‘God’s Closet’ in memo, or give to a Christ-centered charity in Harriett’s loving memory.
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