Harriet Lucia

Harriet Lucia

1930 - 2025

Harriet Louise Lucia, age 95, of Grand Rapids, MN passed away at her home on September 11, 2025 with family at her side.

Harriet was born June 6, 1930 at her grandparents' home in Waseca, Minnesota, the daughter of Ruth (Esklund) and Don Mahler. The family moved to Faribault, Minnesota in 1933 where she grew up and graduated from Faribault High School. She graduated from Hamline University in 1952 with a degree in Philosophy and Religion. After graduation, Harriet worked at Alders Gate Methodist Church in St Louis Park. Mario Joseph Lucia and Harriet were married at the Fourth Avenue Methodist Church in Faribault, Minnesota on August 8, 1953.

Mario and Harriet moved to Bigfork, Minnesota. Harriet was a substitute teacher and they always spoke in glowing terms about their time in Bigfork. In 1964 she returned to college to get her teaching degree at Hamline. She moved back to her parents' home in Faribault with the boys and commuted daily to Hamline where she graduated in 1965 with her teaching degree.

Upon graduation, she began her teaching career in Bigfork as a second-grade teacher. In 1967 the family moved to Grand Rapids. Harriet taught at Central School and later at Southwest before retiring in 1991. She loved teaching and inspired countless young children in her life. After retirement in 1993, Mario and Harriet spent their winters in Green Valley, AZ until 2022.

Harriet and Mario had many lifelong friends in the Southwest neighborhood. They enjoyed their Friday night dinners together with friends along with pontoon rides and cabin life on Pokegama Lake. Harriet was a lifelong member of the Methodist Church where she sang in the choir, was on the parish council, attended Bible study, volunteered in the fair booth and baked countless cookies and pies. She was a member of numerous service organizations including PEO and AAUW,

Harriet will be deeply missed by her family. She is survived by her sons, Mick (Michaelene), and Don (Joyce); grandchildren, Danielle (Sam) Cable, Kelsey (Christopher) Sjogren, Gino Lucia, Alison (Drew) Showalter, Jessica (Geoff) Bray, Tony (Mattea) Lucia, Mario (Allison) Lucia; and brother, Rod Mahler, Faribault, MN. Harriet had 11 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; and her husband, Mario in 2011.

A memorial service is planned for Saturday, October 25, 2025 at 11 AM at the Grand Rapids United Methodist Church. Visitation will precede the service at 10 AM. Interment will be at the Itasca-Calvary Cemetery in Grand Rapids, MN.