Harriet M. Tillotson

Harriet Maureen Bekkerus was born on January 5, 1929, in Pelican Rapids, MN, the daughter of Albert C. and Hilda T. (Skogen) Bekkerus. The family was of Norwegian heritage. She attended District 47 Country School near her home.

Harriet was united in marriage to Willis Tillotson on October 30, 1948, in the Assembly of God Church in Barnesville. The couple made their home in Barnesville where they raised their family. Harriet babysat for a few other families in Barnesville. She was active in the Assembly of God Church in Barnesville, and served in various roles, including the Sunday School Secretary. They wintered in Arizona for 16 years.

She was good at baking. She also liked to sew and made baby quilts for each of the grandchildren.

She is survived by three daughters: Kay (Albert) Holmquist of Dilworth, MN, Janet (Jerry) Greenquist of Holdrege, NE, and Julie (Seth) Desing of Barnesville, MN; 10 grandchildren: Jason (Mary) Herbrandson of Moorhead, MN, Jeremy (Carol) Herbrandson, of Moorhead, MN, Joel (Celeste) Herbrandson of Rochester, MN, Nathan (Jennifer) Herbrandson, of Dilworth, MN, Angela (Andy) Joneson of Dilworth, MN, Matthew (Suzanne) Greenquist of Hastings, NE, Adam (Beth) Greenquist of Seward, NE, Andrew Greenquist of Holdrege, NE, Travis Desing of Barnesville, MN, and Carrie (Jesse) Feigum of Fargo, ND; 29 great grandchildren: Jesse, Justin, Grace, Ethan, Erin, Mira, Sonja, Wesley, Jemma, Stuart, Henry, Alexander, Emily, Collin, Grant, Austin, Lane, Willis, Brooks, Finnley, Camille, Baker, Olivia, Chloe, Quinn, Jonah, Seth, Henry, and Ben; two brothers, Merlyn Bekkerus of Barnesville, MN, and Alan (Grace) Bekkerus of Grand Forks, ND; along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Harriet was preceded in death by her husband Willis in 2011; son Keith; her parents, Albert and Hilda; and sisters, Claudia Gilbertson and Arlene Gilbertson.

Harriet died one day shy of her 93rd birthday, on Tuesday, January 4, 2022, at the Pelican Valley Health Center in Pelican Rapids, MN.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, April 30th at 11:00 AM in Dobmeier Funeral Home in Barnesville, MN with Rev. Kevin Skarrett officiating.

Burial was held at City Cemetery, in Barnesville, MN.

Harriet Tillotson's Memorial Folder