Harriet Spangenberg was born at the Cumberland, WI hospital on March 31, 1924, to Austin and Irene Sweet. Harriet grew up in Barronett, WI and attended elementary school there. A as a child she enjoyed writing, and several of her poems and writings were published in the local paper. She attended Cumberland High School and graduated as her class' valedictorian.
After high school Harriet received her Teaching Certificate from River Falls Teachers College, and went on to teach in the Apple River Township and Bunyon country schools. It was at the Bunyon School that she met her future husband Elroy Spangenberg while he was home on leave during World War II.
Harriet and Elroy were married on Dec 22, 1944. After her school year ended, Harriet joined her new husband in Amarillo, Texas, where Elroy was attending Flight Engineer training with the Army Air Corps. After Elroy's service they returned to Georgetown, WI, where they purchased a farm, and Harriet returned to teaching. She taught elementary school in Milltown, WI until she and Elroy started their family in 1956.
While being a mother to her 3 children Harriet also worked as a Census taker, checked hearing for elementary students in Polk County and was part time teacher for the Unity schools, including the two-room Blake school. Harriet also tutored adults in reading, enjoyed preparing income taxes, and was the Georgetown Town Clerk for many years.
Harriet moved to Colorado Springs in 2008 to be near daughters Jean and Jill. In 2011 she moved to Salt Lake City with Jill and her family.
Harriet is preceded in death by her husband Elroy, and brother, Robert Sweet and his wife, Joyce. Harriet is survived by son, Jim and wife Jaynie, daughters, Jean Zeh and Jill Baker and Jill's husband Mark and their sons, Jeremey and Eli. She is also survived by sisters, Margaret Brown and husband Dan, Marian Hanson and husband Roger, brothers Doug Sweet and wife Pat, and Gordon Sweet and wife Monika, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Harriet was proud to be one of the first lay readers at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, and will be remembered for her love of reading and needlepoint. The loss of her eyesight due to Macular Degeneration was a difficult transition, but thereafter she enjoyed listening to books on tape and being read to. Harriet was a great conversationalist and enjoyed time with friends. In her later years, she enjoyed going for drives in the mountains, listening to Public Radio, watching live broadcasts of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and spending time with her grandsons. She also enjoyed the company of her fellow residents at the Independent Living facilities in both Colorado Springs and Salt Lake City where she lived. She will be missed greatly by family and her many friends and relatives in Wisconsin and around the country. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, October 6, 2014 at Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church in Balsam Lake, WI. A visitation will be held on Sunday, October 5, 2014 from Noon to 3 p.m. at the Williamson-White Funeral Home, and also the hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at the Holy Rosary Cemetery. To sign an online guest book and view a video tribute, visit www.williamsonwhite.com. Arrangements were made with the Williamson-White Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Amery.