Harriet Louise Powers

Harriet Louise Powers, 89, of Casselton, ND, died Wednesday, July 10, 2013 at her home.
Harriet Louise was born on May 22, 1924 in Moorhead, MN to Emanuel and Julia Brandvold Kolke. She grew up in Moorhead, where she attended Hopkins grade school. She graduated from Moorhead High School in 1942. While attending Moorhead High she was a member of the National Honor Society and ranked 14th in her graduating class of 135. Harriet was awarded the Women’s Missionary Federation freshman college scholarship.
Upon her graduation, Harriet attended Interstate Business College, Fargo, ND from September 1942 to February 1943. She then worked at the Fairmont Creamery as a secretary to the office manager during 1943 to 1944, the war years.
She attended Concordia College in Moorhead, MN in September 1944 to June 1948 and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with majors in Home Economics and Business Education and a minor in Biology. Harriet graduated from Concordia Cum Laude. During college she was a reporter for the Concordian, college newspaper, President of MU Sigma Phi, Literary society for one year and earned the Kjorlie Home Economics prize. Harriet also qualified for membership in Omicron Tau Delta, home economics club, and membership in Mu Pi Gamma, science club.
While attending college Harriet was employed as a part-time assistant in the Registrar’s office at Concordia. She accepted the position of Assistant Registrar and worked there until 1951. She then taught school at East Grand Forks, MN from 1951 until 1953. Harriet moved to Minneapolis and took the job of secretary to Dr. Magnus Dahlen, Head of the Board of Charities, ELC from 1953 to 1955. It was there she met John Norris. They were married in Moorhead, MN February 1954. Together they had three daughters. They divorced in 1960.
In 1955 to 1958 she taught school in Glyndon, MN. Harriet then took the Civil Service Exam for a position at Moorhead State in the Registrar’s Office. In September 1958 while working at Moorhead State, Harriet attended North Dakota State University in Fargo, ND where she graduated in 1962 with a Master’s Degree in Education.
In February, 1963, Harriet was appointed Assistant Registrar at Moorhead State College by Dr. John J. Neumaier, president of the College. In 1979 Ronald Dille, president of Moorhead State, selected Harriet to receive a performance award for meritorious service to the University for the years 1978-1979. After 30 years of working at Moorhead State, Harriet retired in June of 1993 and was granted the status of Assistant Registrar Emeritus. Arne H. Carlson, the Governor of Minnesota, sent Harriet a letter upon her retirement, commending her for her career with Moorhead State University on a job well done.
Harriet married Wayne Powers, of Durbin, ND on December 26, 1969 at Christ the King Lutheran Church, Moorhead, MN.
She was a member of AAUW and B.P.W FM Business and Professional Women, and the Upper Midwest association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Offices.
Harriet’s many hobbies included square dancing, playing cards, reading, board games and watching movies. She was a very giving person but stubborn and independent. She was always eager to go out for dinner and enjoyed visiting people. Harriet was a wonderful Mother, Grandmother, and Great-Grandmother. Those who knew her will miss her dearly.
She is survived by her daughters, Kathleen Larry Michaelson, Moorhead, Jacqueline Dallas Nesemeier, Casselton, ND, Elizabeth Dewald special friend, Denny Buchholz, Thompson, ND; twin brothers, Earl Kolke, Cambridge, MN and Erling Kolke, Detroit Lakes, MN; grandchildren, Nicole Scott Heggen, Serena, Ethan Michaelson, James Nesemeier, Alison Jon Friese, Stacy Thomas Kowalkowski, Jennifer Andrew Stevens, Rachel Travis Olson, Aaron Nana Dewald, Kyle, Evan, Adam fiance, Jae , and Tyler Dewald; 13 great-grandchildren; and her cat, Kitty.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Wayne, and her grandson Caleb Michaelson.
Harriet’s family would like to express their gratitude to her caregivers, Terre Johnson and Ashley Gunnis.

A Celebration of Life Service: Monday, July 15, 2013 at 1 PM at Wright Funeral Home in Moorhead, MN. Visitation will start at Noon at the Funeral Home. Interment will be at Moorhead Memorial Gardens in Moorhead, MN.