Vernell Ottilie Harbitz

Vernell Ottilie (Black) Harbitz was born on the family farm near Amboy, MN, the daughter of Wilbert and Cora (Stolzmann) Black. She attended Lutheran Parochial School at Willow Creek and graduated from high school in 1944 in Amboy. She was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church at Willow Creek in rural Vernon Center. On September 27, 1947, she married Richard Felix Harbitz at St. Paul's Lutheran parsonage in St. James. Vernell enjoyed dancing, quilting, watching and feeding birds, crafts, word find books, attending plays and musicals; and, most recently, her pencil coloring. She was a member of Extension Club and the County Extension Council. She volunteered in many ways through her churches (Rosendale and First Lutheran), at the food shelf and Rosendale Skippers 4H Club. She is survived by her children: Dianne (Tim) Pearson of Trimont, MN; Dale (Debra) Harbitz of Sherburn; MN; Marcy (Kirk) McDonald of Champlin, MN; Monica (Phil) Barden of Waseca, MN; Jane (Rodney) Wilkison of Lynd, MN; Wayne (Terilyn) Harbitz of St. James, MN; Kevin (Jenny) Harbitz of St. James; sisters: Joanne (Alvin) Stauffer, Shirley Madigan; sister-in-laws: Arlis Black, Darlene Black; 9 grandsons, 3 granddaughters, 11 great-grandchildren (2 on the way), 2 great-great-grandchildren, several step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband, Richard; infant twin sons, Larry her parents; brothers, Robert and Delbert Black; a sister, Lorraine Black; and, a brother-in-law, Bill Madigan. Memorial may be directed to Mt. Hope Cemetery or First Lutheran Church. Visitation 1 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm Thursday, September 15, 2016 Sturm Funeral Home, St. James Chapel 906 - 10th Ave. S. St. James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Visitation 2 9:30 am - 10:30 am Friday, September 16, 2016 First Lutheran Church, St. James 716 6th Ave. S. Saint James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Service Information 10:30 am Friday, September 16, 2016 First Lutheran Church, St. James 716 6th Ave. S. Saint James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Interment Information Mt. Hope Cemetery, St. James S. CR 27 St. James, Minnesota, United States 56081 Fellowship Please join the family for lunch and fellowship in the church fellowship hall following burial.