Harriet Elise Mikkelson, 95, Minot, died Tuesday, July 10, 2012 in a Minot nursing home.

Harriet was born March 22, 1917 at Drady, North Dakota, the daughter of Charles and Helen (Schou) Peterson. She was raised on the family farm in the South Prairie area and educated at country schools near there. Harriet assisted with the operation of the family farm until she was united in marriage to Lyle Mikkelson on November 23, 1943 at Minot.

They made their home on a farmstead south of Minot, where she assisted with the operation of the farm and they raised their two daughters. Lyle died January 23, 1974. Harriet continued to live on the farm until moving into Minot in 1995. She entered ManorCare Healthcare Center in November of 2011.

Harriet was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, the local Farmer's Union, served as a 4-H leader and with the South Prairie School Board for nine years. She also did volunteer work at Fron Lutheran Church. She enjoyed gardening, canning and tending to her flowers, along with doing crafts, crocheting, and entering her exhibits in the ND State Fair, for which she had won a number of ribbons.

Harriet is survived by her children, Virginia (Marlyn) Korslien, Minot, Leslie (Clifford) Balcom, Moxee, WA; grandchildren, Clifford Balcom Jr, Melanie (Randy) Graham and Larissa (Chad) Mosser; great-grandchildren, Teagan & Ricki , Brooklyn & Brenley; several nieces and nephews.

Harriet was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brothers, LeRoy and Lyle and sisters, Lillian and Gladys.

Funeral service : Tuesday, July 17, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. in Zion Lutheran Church, Minot.
Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot.
Visitation : Monday from 2:00-7:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials are preferred to Zion Lutheran Church Debt Reduction Fund or an organization of the donor's choice.
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