Harriet Danielson

Harriet C. Danielson, age 93, of St. Augustine FL, died Sunday, November 15, 2020 at her home at Coral Landing Assisted Living Facility. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Saturday, November 28, 2020 at Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah, IA. Masks are required to attend, and social distancing is mandated. Private Family Burial Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. at Lincoln Cemetery outside of Ridgeway, IA with Rev. Barb Knutson presiding. Harriet Colleen (Flatland) Danielson was born October 31, 1927 in Ridgeway, Iowa to John H. Flatland and Julia T. (Halvorson) Flatland. Harriet was baptized into the Lutheran faith November 24, 1927. Harriet, her younger sister Mary Lou Ann, their parents and grandparents Kittel and Mari (Hotvedt) Flatland lived on a beautiful green hill just one mile north of Ridgeway where Kittel and Mari farmed after Kittel had immigrated to Northeast Iowa from Hjartdal, Telemark, Norway. In her youth Harriet already found her calling for education while attending school at a country one room schoolhouse. Harriet went on to graduate from Ridgeway High School and was one of the few women to attend Luther College at that time, class of 1949. She initially taught in a one room schoolhouse in Canoe Township at which time she met Roland C. Danielson who she married on August 19, 1951. They started farming on the Danielson Farm north of Decorah Iowa, then leased their first farm in Lincoln Township, later purchasing the Flatland family farm from her parents moving to the homestead her grandfather first farmed, continuing the family tradition. This is where Harriet started her family with Roland by raising three children. Enjoying constant servitude to her community, a member and organist at Peace Lutheran Church in Ridgeway IA; she also enjoyed her garden, her animals and working on the farm with her family. Harriet continued her calling for education advancing with certifications to teach Special Education in Spillville, Iowa and Elementary Education in Howard-Winneshiek School District. Finding yet another calling to serve her community, Harriet attended Wartburg Theological Seminary where she graduated with a Masters in Divinity Studies and became an ordained ELCA Lutheran Pastor October 23, 1988. She served many congregations: North Beaver Creek Lutheran Church in Ettrick, WI, Peace Lutheran Church in Tilleda, WI and Elias Lutheran Churched in Gresham, WI, First Lutheran Church in Decorah, IA, Henrytown Lutheran Church in Canton, MN, Luther College Campus Ministry in Decorah, IA. Harriet continued to serve her community by counseling in both Howard and Winneshiek counties for alcohol & drug abuse and as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for abused and/or fostered children while still serving her Lord and continuing her work with the Northeast Iowa Synod of the ELCA Lutheran Church. Harriet is survived by her and Roland’s three children: Ted Danielson, his sons Jacob and Joshua Danielson, great granddaughters River & Ariel; Dr. Tina Danielson and her children Katrianna and Kelso Bockhorn; Mari Anne Danielson (Mark Jones) and her step-son Peter Lozano-Jones. Memorials on behalf of Harriet should be directed to Wartburg Theological Seminary and can be mailed to the attention of Mari Danielson, P.O. Box 4593, Rio Rico, AZ 85648.