Ethel C. Harrison

**Graveside services for Ethel C. Harrison, nee Schmidt, born March 4, 1930, died December 26, 2022, will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, June 5, 2023, at the Most Precious Blood Catholic Church Cemetery, 256 East 2nd Avenue, Glidden, WI, with Father Aloysius Anthony officiating. Luncheon will follow at the church.
Ethel was born on March 4, 1930, in Glidden, Wisconsin, the youngest of eight siblings. She married William Harrison on June 5, 1948 and was his wife of 59 years until Bill's passing in 2007. They had 6 children, and were proud grandparents of 9 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren.
Ethel devoted her life to her family and a home filled with traditions and love, especially at Christmastime celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. She embraced her Catholic heritage throughout her lifetime and that always sustained her through times of joys and sorrows. She could be counted on to pray for all of her family and friends.
Her hobbies included playing the harmonica and filling our home with her favorite music. She began playing harmonica to her cat at 10 years old. She had many cats throughout her life and pets were a great joy to her, especially a purring kitty on her lap. Her creative outlets included photography, writing limericks, reading poetry (especially Robert Frost), and ceramics. She was a nature enthusiast, birdwatcher, cross-country skier, deer hunter, and snowmobiler. Anytime she could be outdoors, she was happy. She made many stuffed animals and doll clothes for her family as well as many embroidered dish towels. She loved to feed us and she served up wonderful meals and tasty goodies. She especially enjoyed social activities like playing Bingo, visiting and hearing other people's stories, along with telling cute jokes. Her smile and laughter were always ready to be shared. Ethel made friends easily, was a friend to many, and was loved by many. People truly enjoyed her lively and fun personality.
She loved America, and the values of our freedoms and our right to vote. She was proud to be the mother of the military veterans in our family. As she faced illnesses in her life, she was determined to bravely overcome them.
Ethel is survived by son Michael (Lise) Harrison, daughter Deana (Wallace) Rice, daughter-in-law Gail (Doug) Harrison, daughter Elizabeth (Marc) Atherton and daughter Annie (Garry) Gehrke; many grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.
Ethel is preceded in death by husband, William H. Harrison, daughter Mary Ann Harrison, son Douglas Harrison, grandson Matthew Harrison, parents Joseph and Mathilda Schmidt, and four sisters and three brothers.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, December 30, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 2035 15th Street West, Hastings, Minnesota 55033. Visitation will be at church for one hour prior to the service on Friday. Burial will occur at the Most Precious Blood Cemetery in Glidden, Wisconsin, Spring of 2023, where she will be laid to rest next to her dear husband, Bill. Memorials preferred to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church.