Harriet Kathleen Matchan died Sunday, July 23, 2023, at The Pillars of Mankato Senior Living Community in Mankato, MN.

Harriet was born in Blooming Prairie on April 22, 1928, and was the third of five children born to Konard and Signe Wold. She graduated a "Blossom" from Blooming Prairie High School and studied to become a teacher at Winona State College. There she met her future husband George and they married in 1948. George and Harriet first held teaching jobs in Pine Island, MN, and during their summers operated a popcorn wagon traveling to local county fairs. Ten cents a bag with real butter! They then made their home in Owatonna where they raised three children, a daughter Julie and twin boys, Paul and David. After the kids were born, Harriet was a stay-at-home mother for approximately eight years until returning full time to the classroom. The majority of her career was spent teaching 3rd grade at Lincoln Elementary School until her retirement at age 65. Harriet loved her job and would often express how incredibly lucky she was to go to work with joy in her heart each day. She was also truly loved by her students, their families, and was greatly respected and known in the community as a topnotch teaching professional. To this day, stories are still told about her loving generosity and ability to truly "be there" for so many students helping them to reach their full potential. And many of these students never forgot their favorite third grade teacher, Mrs. Matchan, as she grew older. She was a blessing to her students and her students in turn were a blessing to her. What goes around, comes around, in all our lives, but especially the really caring things – the compassion, the unconditional regard, the things we do for others when no one is looking. This was Harriet's life.

Throughout her life Harriet pursued many interesting hobbies always seeking to expand her creativity. She was artistic and took many classes in drawing, sculpting, and painting. Even when her memory began to fail, she would still practice drawing, filling sketch books with hundreds of faces. She especially loved to go antiquing with her son David, finding beautiful pieces to add to her many collections. Harriet also began writing short stories of her many life experiences and memories of growing up in Blooming Prairie and living life in Owatonna.

Harriet was a lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Church and sang in the church choir for many years. She was extremely proud of her Norwegian heritage. She enjoyed her Sons of Norway friends, expertly baked Norwegian goodies such as Krumkake and Lefsa, and on special occasions would even prepare Lutefisk for the family - "that piece of cod that surpasses all understanding." Growing up and old within the Wold family shaped Harriet's love of life. She truly cherished her friendships relishing any opportunity to "have coffee, cookies, and a visit." But above all, it was her family and extended family that Harriet held tight within her heart and soul. Even in the most difficult of times she led the way always with a positive spirit.

Harriet is survived by her daughter Julie (David) Tripp, son Paul (Hope) Matchan, six grandchildren Jon, Aaron, Rachel (Luke Makela) Tripp, Elizabeth Slack, Sarah (Matt) Feit, and Ben (Stacie) Matchan, great-grandchildren Matic Rath, Madeline Slack, Beckham Feit, and Clara Harriet Makela, sister Lois (Paul) Christenson, sister Sonja (Warren) Salveson, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband George, son David, great-granddaughter Allayna Tripp, parents Konard and Signe Wold, brother and sister-in-law Allan and Beverly Wold, and sister and brother-in-law, Marilyn and Don Kaercher. The family wishes to express deep gratitude to the caring staff at the Pillars of Mankato Senior Living Community and Moments Hospice for the kindness and tender care given to Harriet while she was with them.

Memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 11, 2023 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Owatonna, visitation preceding the service at 10:00 a.m. Memorials are preferred to Trinity Lutheran Church, Owatonna Arts Center, or a memorial of your choice.