Mary Lou Harris Obituary (1928

Mary L. Harris, formerly of Onawa, IA, died peacefully at Good Shepherd Lutheran Community in Blair, NE on November 3, 2020. Mary was born on December 31, 1928 in Valley, NE to Alvin and Edna Mae Wicklund. Mary graduated from Valley High School in 1946. As a girl, Mary was active in 4-H, the International Order of Rainbow for Girls, church, music, and school plays. Mary was married to Edward R. Harris on January 24, 1947 in Valley, NE. They lived on a farm in Omaha, NE where Claudia, Nancy, and Gene were born. The family moved to Onawa, IA in March of 1962, where Daniel was born in 1965. Mary was a 4-H leader for twenty years and a member of the Ashton Women’s Club. She was active in Women’s Circle, choir, and played the piano for many activities at First Christian Church in Onawa. Mary was also a volunteer at Burgess Health Center and on the board of Elmwood Care Center. She was a spokesperson for the Iowa Soybean Association giving talks and food demonstrations. Mary always had a large vegetable and flower garden. Her love of gardening was passed on to her children. Mary shared her love of reading with her family. She was also very influential in her children’s musical and spiritual development. Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Edward R. Harris, her parents, sister Doris Rittenhouse, in-laws Edward C. and Marie Harris, brothers-in-law Donald and Robert Harris, sister-in-law Jackie Chase, sons-in-law Edward Brunick and Harlan Spieker. She was well loved and will be missed by her four children: Claudia Brunick-Spieker of Watertown, SD; Nancy (Ron) Beaman of Blair, NE; Gene (Julie) Harris of Winter Park, FL; and Daniel Harris of Lincoln, NE; Grandchildren: James (Sherry) Brunick, Joel (Kristin) Brunick, Jason (Kim) Brunick, Jon (Michelle) Brunick, Jeanine (Tony) Sopko, Joshua (Annie) Brunick, Jerod (Josie) Brunick, Justin (Sadie) Brunick; Laura Beaman (Jason) Pike; Rachel Harris, Will (Isabella) Harris, Rebekah Harris; thirty-two great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren; sister-in-law Lois Harris, nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorials may be sent to the family for later designation, the flower fund at Good Shepherd Lutheran Community or a charitable organization of your choice. Campbell-Aman Funeral Home Blair, NE/www.campbellaman.com