Obituary

Harriett (Knowles) Gaeddert was reunited with God and her husband, Walter, on Monday (May 31, 2010). She was born on Aug. 13, 1915, to Dr. H.P. and Eleanor (Porter) Knowles in Sterling.

Harriett attended grade school in Sterling through second grade, at which time her parents moved to Newton, where she finished her elementary and high school education. Harriett continued her higher education at Bethel College and Indiana University. While attending a music contest at Wichita East as a soprano soloist for Newton High, she met her life-long companion Walter Gaeddert, whom she married on June 25, 1933. To this union were born four sons, Walter Jr. in 1936, who died at birth; James (Jim) in 1938; Richard (Dick) in 1940; and Allen in 1945. The family lived in Hesston and Moundridge from 1940 to 1964, until taking up permanent residence in North Newton.

Harriett welcomed into the family four daughters-in-law, Karen (Kaufman) Gaeddert, wife of James; Carolee (Goering) Gaeddert, Richard’s first spouse; Carol (Isreal) Gaeddert, Richard’s second spouse; and Donna Jean (Lankton) Gaeddert, wife to Allen. She was continually delighted and treasured every day while watching her nine grandchildren grow into adults, who in turn would reward her with 25 great-grandchildren.

Even though Harriett maintained a busy life with her husband, while actively raising their children and maintaining a loving home, she always found time to volunteer at her church. For several years, Harriett directed a junior choir and taught Sunday school and Bible school at West Zion Mennonite Church in Moundridge.
Harriett would later work outside of the home at Sears for 13 and a half years, Prairie View Mental Health for one year and Bethel Deaconess Hospital for 14 and a half years as an accountant and payroll clerk. Harriett served as president of the Credit Women International in Newton, a member of the Soroptimist Club of Newton and as a state representative of the Parent Teachers Association. Harriett continued her volunteer work at the Et Cetera Shop for a number of years and as a Pink Lady at Newton Medical Center. After moving into Kidron Bethel Retirement Community with her husband, she volunteered many hours of her time to activities and social events within the village.

Harriett and Walter considered themselves privileged and blessed to spend 60 years and 11 months of marriage together. As Walter’s health deteriorated, it was Harriett who you could always find at his side. Even after Walter was moved into the nursing unit, Harriett was by his side to make sure the nurses were providing care for him that met with her standards. In death, Harriett paves a golden path to heaven for her precious family to follow, Jim and Karen Gaeddert, Dick and Carol Gaeddert and Allen Gaeddert.
Donna Jean, Allen’s wife, who preceded her in death, was an inspiration to her joy and happiness for the 32 years she lived in the family. Harriett also leaves nine grandchildren and their spouses, Douglas and Lisa Gaeddert, Gregory and Terri Gaeddert, Colleen and Gary Brown, Sherry Bradley, Sheryl and Jay Area, Brad Gaeddert, Janelle and Dan Benninghoff, Jeffrey and Elaine Gaeddert, and Sheryl and Tim White; 25 great-grandchildren; and 11 great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two brothers, James and Porter; and one sister, Martha (Knowles) Currey.

Visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m. at Petersen Funeral Home in Newton, with the family present from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
A graveside service will be at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at Greenwood Cemetery in Newton, followed by a memorial service at 3 p.m. at Bethel College Mennonite Church in North Newton. Memorials may be left with Kidron Bethel Village in care of Petersen Funeral Home.