Harriet Butzlaff

Harriet M. (Simpson) Butzlaff was born December 17, 1918 at Colwell, IA to Robert and Blanche (Easterly) Simpson. Harriet lost her father at the age of 11. She graduated top in her class from Charles City, IA High School. She worked for Dr. Salbury's Lab in Charles City before marriage. On May 14, 1937 she married Rolland F. Ron Butzlaff at Ames, IA. In 1949 Harriet and Ron moved from Iowa to St. James, MN. In 1972 they moved to Ft. Myers, FL where she helped her husband operate a laundromat for several years. Harriet lived the last four years in St. James. Harriet enjoyed music, bridge club, choral group, oil painting, reading, and was very active in her church were she was involved in choir, circle, was an elder and helped out when ever needed. She also enjoyed writing poetry frequently. Harriet is survived by one daughter, Barb and husband George Grundman of Park Rapids; two sons, Brian and wife Gloria Butzlaff of Clearwater, and Brad and Diane Butzlaff of Roswell, NM; 7 grandchildren, Gina, Kim, Kevin, Daron, Melissa, David, and Nathan; and 7 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Ron in 1990, two sisters, and one great-grandson, Dustin Schultz.