Harriett Witte Cornwell
Harriett Witte Cornwell of Morton, Minnesota, went home to her Lord on April 21st, 2023, in Oceanside, California after a brief stay in the hospital.
Harriett was the youngest daughter born to Bernice A. Block and Raymond E. Witte on a rural Morton, Minnesota farm on May 17, 1942. Harriett was born days after a tornado tore through the town of Morton and just like the tornado, she was a force of life. A celebration of life for Harriett will be held in the summer.
Harriett was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Morton, MN. Shortly after graduating from Morton Highschool in 1960, she married her high school sweetheart, Gary Cornwell of rural Morton, Minnesota. After their wedding, the couple moved to Rome, New York to complete Gary’s military obligation. They returned and settled in Robbinsdale, Minnesota. Harriett worked as a secretary before pursuing her dream of being a hairdresser.
In 1975, Harriett and Gary returned to Morton, living on Gary’s family farm. During this time, Harriett worked with her sister, Ardell Jensen, at Mi’Lady’s Beauty Salon in Redwood Falls. After Ardell retired, Harriett worked at Zytec.
Harriett was one of the founding members of the Red Hat Club and Lioness Club of Morton, even receiving the Melvin Jones Award. Harriett was active in the local 4H club and with the Women’s Auxiliary of Zion Lutheran Church in Morton and supporting her children in their high school sports and band activities. Over her lifetime, Harriett loved to snowmobile, play golf, and spend time with her family at the lake. Harriett also enjoyed traveling, crocheting, ceramics, and playing the piano. In the winter, Harriett and Gary traveled to California to spend time with their oldest daughter. Harriett was a proud mother to her daughters, Julie and Lisa. Her true calling, though, was to be a grandmother to Emma and Fiona. Her next goal was to be a great-grandmother to Oliver.
She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Gary Cornwell. Her daughters Julie Cornwell, son-in-law Terry Brashear, granddaughters Emma Tiede (Andrew) and Fiona Brashear, and daughter Lisa Cornwell. Her brother Lyle (Joyce) Witte; her brother-in-law Galen (Judie) Cornwell, and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her sister, and her son Paul.
