Pauline Harkness

Pauline Harkness, 89, of Elk Point, South Dakota passed away with family by her side on Saturday, August 16, 2025 at Sanford/USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m., on Friday, August 29, 2025 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Elk Point with Pastor Erik Olson officiating. Burial will take place at St. Paul's Lutheran Cemetery in rural Elk Point. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m., on Thursday, August 28, with a prayer service at 7 p.m., all at the church. Arrangements are entrusted with Kober Funeral Home in Elk Point. Condolences may be posted online to www.koberfuneralhome.com.

Pauline was born on March 14, 1936 to Paul and Lucinda (Irwin) Strand in Union County, SD. Pauline attended country school and graduated from Elk Point High School.

Pauline married Alvin Harkness on October 24, 1954 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in rural Elk Point, SD. They made their home in Hawarden, Iowa.

Pauline worked as a bookkeeper for Otis Radio for a number of years prior to joining Al at their business, Harkness Gravel & Ready Mix in Hawarden, Iowa. After retiring, they moved to Sioux Falls, SD. In 2007, they moved to Elk Point, SD.

Pauline was a loving and nurturing aunt to her numerous nieces and nephews. She will be missed by her family and friends. Her greatest joy was her family.

Pauline's faith was an important part of her life. She was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Elk Point, past member of Peace Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls, American Lutheran Church in Hawarden, Iowa and St. Paul Lutheran Church in rural Elk Point.

Survivors include her sisters, Beverly (Wiebelhaus) Riibe, of Wynot, NE, and Betty (McGarry) Rhodman of Lawton, IA, and her sister-in-law, Wilma (Nickles) Strand of Dells Rapids, SD.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Alvin Harkness, her parents, Paul & Lucinda Strand; her sisters, Arlene Grigg and Olga June Bott; her brothers, Arnold "Martin" Jacobson, Louis Strand, Julius Strand, Sidney Strand, and Carroll Strand.