Harriet Brown, well-known Minnesota Holstein breeder, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 11th, 2019 at the age of 89.
Harriet Marie was born on December 1, 1929, in Wanamingo, MN, to Harry and Selma Haller. She graduated from Wanamingo High School as the valedictorian of the class of 1948. She completed her degree in Home Economics Education from Augsburg College and taught in Harmony, Detroit Lakes, and St. Paul School Districts for nearly twenty years.
On July 21,1956, she married Wayne Brown and together they purchased a farm north of Hastings, Minnesota in Washington County. It was on this farm they raised seven children and created a successful Registered Holstein, commercial apple orchard and laying hen operation; Apple Acres Farm. Harriet’s passion for agriculture and youth was apparent in all she did. She served as 4-H club leader of Riverside Routers for over twenty years and educated thousands of school children on tours of the farm.
An original “FarmHER”, Harriet courageously continued to farm after the death of her husband Wayne in 1982. Because of her love and dedication to the dairy industry, Harriet was named World Dairy Expo Woman of the Year in 1996. In 1998, she was inducted into the Minnesota Livestock Breeders Hall of Fame and served as a mentor to many. Harriet’s dedication and involvement in the Holstein industry was evident at the national, state, and local levels.
Friendships formed through her affiliation with the Holstein Association and her love of that industry was only surpassed by her love and pride in her family. “Grandma Brown” loved following all of her grandchildren’s activities and beamed with pride when talking about her children and grandchildren. She was also an avid Minnesota sports fan, especially enjoyed following the Timberwolves, Lakers, Vikings, Twins, and especially the Gopher Men’s Basketball team.
She is survived by her children: Terri (Charles) Dallas, David Brown (Misty Evans), James (Diane) Brown, Kristi (Eric) Ruen, Staci Brown (Erik Jopp), and Heidi (Jon) Anderson; she was also blessed with 17 grandchildren: Aly, Jed and Clint Dallas, Annah Williams, Kayla (fiancé, Doug Albrecht), Joshua, Jacob (fiancé Jen Koudelka) and Daniel Brown, Leah, Bailey, Adam, Brielle, Carson and Lucas Ruen and Riley, Camryn and Reegan Anderson; brother, Robert Haller (Phyllis Gray); and many other relatives and friends.
Harriet was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Wayne; and daughter, Jennifer in 1990.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 17, 2019, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Hastings. Private family interment will be held at Lakeside Cemetery in Hastings. Family and friends are cordially invited to a visitation from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday evening, and also from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. Friday morning, all at church. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred in memory of Harriet. Arrangements are being completed by Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel of Hastings, MN.