Harriet was born March 6, 1924, in Grey Eagle, to John & Erma (Fuller) Karnes.  She attended school through the 8th grade after which she stayed on the farm to help raise her siblings.  Harriet met John through her cousin around Thanksgiving; the couple married on her parent’s farm just a couple months later in Grey Eagle on January 19, 1943.  Together they raised their family on the farm in Grey Eagle. Harriet moved to the Mother of Mercy Senior Living in Albany in 2016.  She was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Grey Eagle where she taught religion for many years.

Harriet enjoyed raising her children on the farm.  She loved the farm, raising calves, cooking, and baking, especially pies, cakes, and bread.  Harriet is best known for her chocolate chip cookies.

Harriet is preceded in death by her parents; husband John “Jack”, son James, siblings:  Clayton, Lawrence, infant brother John, Calvin, Ivan, and Jeanette.  She is survived by her children:  Joan (Donavon) Payne of Burtrum, Brenda (Lowell) Lunceford of Rockville, John (Cathy) Walburn of Browerville, Barbara (Alan) Stang of St. Augusta; 18 grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren, 3 great great grandchildren and siblings:  Ella Mae (Al) Bartz of Waite Park, Hoyt (Joyce) Karnes of Burtrum and Everette “James” (Darlene) Karnes of St. Joseph.