Harriet Elaine Eaton

HARRIET ELAINE EATON, age 97 of Waseca, passed away on the afternoon of Thursday, January 30, 2025, at Mill City Senior Living in Faribault surrounded by her family. 

Harriet was born in New Richland on July 5, 1927, to Leonard and Doris Peterson. She graduated from New Richland High School in 1945. She met the love of her life, Kenneth Eaton, a World War II Army Sergeant, at an outdoor movie in Otisco. They were married on May 3, 1946, and celebrated their 78th Wedding Anniversary in 2024. 

Harriet lived in the Waseca area her entire life, except for one year when the Army moved her and Ken to Alabama. She was a "farm girl" through and through, having lived 87 years of her life on a farm until she and Ken moved into town, where they spent their remaining years. She came from humble beginnings, having spent most of her childhood living without running water.

Harriet was a faith-filled woman who followed God's word throughout her life. A turning point in Harriet's life came on January 20th, 1950, when she rededicated her life to the Lord at a Billy Graham gathering in Austin. This led her to devote herself to church, bible studies, and mission trips. She was an active member of the Vista Covenant Church her whole life, involving herself in Church committees, teaching Sunday school, singing in the choir, and Covenant Women. 

In a sense, her life was focused on nurturing families: Her own, the Church, and the broader community. Sundays after church, she and Ken hosted gatherings that lasted all day. Even when the family grew to 54 and moved throughout the country, Harriet and Ken kept “family first” alive building precious multi-generational memories by hosting a three-day annual gathering for all the extended family at Cedar Valley Resort near Lanesboro, MN. She had a gift of hospitality.

Outside of family and God, her two big loves were being a church historian and all things Swedish. She traveled to Sweden and found her homestead from the 1600s. Her great-grandparents came to Waseca County in 1858.

Through her devotion, she has instilled a lasting legacy of love that lives on in her family. She will be deeply missed. 

She was welcomed to her Heavenly Home by the following who preceded her in death: her daughter Gail (Ted) Johnson, her parents Leonard and Doris Peterson, and her brother Jerry (Margie). She is survived by her husband, Ken; her children, Steve (JoAnn) Eaton, Dave (Shawnee) Eaton, Sherrie (Pat) Murphy, Brian (Cindy) Eaton, and Ted (Margy) Johnson. She leaves behind 14 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.

Harriet’s family would like to extend their gratitude to the staff of Lakeshore Assisted Living in Waseca, Mill City Senior living in Faribault, and to Brighton Hospice for the compassionate care they provided to her. 

Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday, February 6, 2025 at the Third Street Chapel of Dennis-Steffel-Omtvedt Funeral and Cremation Service, and will continue for one hour before the service at the church on Friday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Vista Covenant Church.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, February 7, 2025 at Vista Covenant Church (14679 275th Avenue, New Richland, MN 56072) with Rev. Brian Schanil officiating. Interment will follow at Vista Covenant Cemetery.