Harriet Leidahl

Harriet Leidahl, age 82, of Decorah, Iowa, died on Saturday, January 30, 2010, at her home. Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, February 3, 2010, at the First United Methodist Church in Decorah, Iowa with Rev. Carol Kress presiding. Visitation will be on Tuesday, February 2, 2010, from 3:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Schluter-Balik Funeral Home in Decorah, IA and after 10:00 at the church on Wednesday. Harriet Clarice (Brown) Leidahl was born on April 20, 1927, the daughter of Elmer Vick and Emma (Brynsaas) Brown and Ned Brown, near Decorah, Iowa. Harriet attended country school, Decorah’s East Side school and the Freeport school. Harriet married Lester Leidahl on June 27, 1953, in Mabel, MN. Harriet was an icon at Mabe’s Pizza in Decorah, working there for almost fifty years. Harriet was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother; she loved to cook and bake but she especially loved her grandchildren. Harriet had an extensive bell collection, with over 1500 in her home. Harriet was a former member of the Rebecca Lodge. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Decorah and the Naomi Ladies Circle. Harriet’s survivors include her husband: Lester Leidahl, Decorah, IA. Six children: Linda (Duane) Roney, Charles City, IA; Cliff (Paula) Sweet, Salt Lake City, UT; Elaine (Wayne) Dow, Altoona, IA; Wanda (Duane) Garden, Acme, PA; Diane (Ken) Berry, Sparta, WI; and Sharon Groh, Phoenix, AZ; along with fourteen grandchildren, twenty-four great grandchildren. Four sisters: Dorothy Brooks, Decorah, IA; Sadie (Robert) Sersland, Decorah, IA; Shirley (Carl) Schick, Decorah, IA; and Lorraine Severson, Waukon, IA. Two brothers: Harris (friend, Theo) Brown, Austin, MN and Willie (Karen) Brown, Decorah, IA, as well as many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. Harriet was preceded in death by her parents: Elmer Vick, Ned and Emma (Brynsaas) Brown. Two grandsons: Jared Sweet in 1994 and Travis Berry in 2004. Two brothers-in-law: Elmer Severson and Bill Brooks. One sister-in-law: Clara Brown. One nephew: Bruce Brooks.