Harriet A. Heckes

Harriet Heckes, age 96, passed away on Wednesday, September 10, 2025. A memorial service will be held on Friday, September 26 at Bayview Freeborn Funeral Home at 1PM with visitation to be held for an hour prior to the service.

After 96 years, 4 months, and 10 days, Harriet A. Heckes was called to the Heavenly gates. Harriet was born April 30, 1929 in Hayward Township of Freeborn County, Minnesota to Bennie and Lela (Jackson) Thompson. Harriet was the third of four daughters born in their family. She was baptized and confirmed at Round Prairie Lutheran Church in Glenville. She attended country school #46 in rural Glenville.

Harriet was working at the Land O’ Lakes egg plant on Clark St. in Albert Lea when she met her future husband. Harriet married Joyce Herman Heckes on October 20, 1946 at Round Prairie Lutheran Church. They made their home in Albert Lea.

Harriet and Joyce were parents to two daughters, Mary Ann and Betty. For many years Harriet was a stay at home mother and homemaker. When the girls were in Junior High School, she went to work as a cook for the Albert Lea Public Schools. She retired as the head cook at Brookside School after 17 years. Her favorite times were spent sewing, many of her own clothes as well as articles for the girls, crocheting, and many kinds of craft items. She and Betty made thousands of lefse that they sold for Thanksgiving and Christmas for many years. Harriet also made jam for her family, friends, and neighbors. She loved her black coffee hot and always something sweet to go with it.

Harriet is survived by her daughters Mary Ann (Arnie) Venem and Betty Rietsema; grandchildren Laurie (Terry) Nelson and Chris (Heidi) Venem; great-grandchildren Kayla (Jim) Fitzpatrick, Tylor Nelson, Jaiden Venem, Josie (Gage Enzenauer) Venem, Jaxon Venem, and Jaeger Venem; great-great-grandchildren Brinley, Ray Fitzpatrick, and a new baby girl expected in November; several nieces, nephews, and friends.

Harriet was preceded in death by her parents and in-laws, her husband, Joyce in 1985, sister Lorraine Trae and her husband Kenneth, sister Marvel Fair and her husband Roy, Dorothy Beighley and her husband Elvin Beighley, and son-in-law Bert Rietsema.

Blessed be her memory.