Harriet Mary Hansen

Harriet Mary Hansen, 95, died Oct. 9 at the Palmer Pioneers’ Home.

A service will be at 2 p.m., Saturday at St. John Lutheran Church, 440 E. Elmwood in Palmer. A potluck will follow the service at the church. A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. today at the Palmer Pioneers’ Home. Refreshments will be served afterward.

Harriet was born Dec. 14, 1913, in Auburn, Mich.

Her family wrote: “Harriet had a unique ability to smile with her eyes, and light up a room with them. What a very lovely, funny, cheerful, bright, talented, clever and energetic woman she was. She set a grand example for all of us in a bigger-than-life way. She believed strongly in community service and giving back. Although she struggled raising three children, she found time to volunteer her services.

For many years, after working five days a week, 18 hours a day, she would spend Saturdays at senior centers, styling hair at no charge. When the seniors insisted on tipping her, she’d take the money and donate it to the center’s activity department. Harriet never met a stranger or lacked a story too tell. She taught hairdressing after retiring but had a secret dream. For years, whenever she could make time, long before the road was built, she would travel to Talkeetna on the railroad. She loved it there and in 1977 she fulfilled her dream and moved there. Harriet’s house was located at the end of Main Street. She was the first to deliver the Daily News there. Harriet and her first grandson, Lucas, would load up her three-wheel bike, and off they would go, Harriet pedaling and Lucas throwing most of the papers while sitting in the basket. Harriet was also the indicator of spring in Talkeetna, the other locals would know that the winter was truly over when she would be sitting in her yard at the picnic table doing her crossword puzzle. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

She is survived by her children, Jan Hansen, Gina Hansen and Elann “Lennie” Moran; sister, Leta Sheffield, 100 years old; nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.