Harriet Dahlstrom

Harriet Dahlstrom, age 98 of Oak Park passed away peacefully with family by her side on Wednesday, April 12, 2023 at the St. Cloud Hospital.

Funeral services will be held Monday, April 17, 2023 at 11:30 AM at Estes Brook Evangelical Free Church.  Burial will follow at the church cemetery.  Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.

Harriet Laverne Josephine Dahlstrom was born at home on the family farm on February 8, 1925 she was the seventh child of eight born to Gottfried and Selma (Benson) Swanson. She graduated from Foley High School in 1943 and continued her education at the St. Cloud Teacher’s College.  In 1945, after she had completed 2 years of college, she was called to teach in country schools as teachers were in short supply.  In 1948, she married the love of her life Donald Dahlstrom in a ceremony at her family home in Oak Park. To this marriage four children were born. 

Harriet loved being a mom, grandma, Gigi and homemaker. She was an excellent cook and baker, her specialties were banana bread, fruit cake and rice pudding. Family was everything to Harriet and she and Don never missed anything, attending every birthday, anniversary, 4 -H auction, holiday, and sporting event they could physically get to.  Harriet never forgot a birthday, anniversary or special event mailing many cards over the years.  It was important to treat everyone the same…she always said “what you do for one you do for all”. 

Left to cherish her memory are their four children and spouses, Duane (Diane) of Milaca, Darlene (Bob) Litfin of St. Cloud, Donna (Carl) Chapp of Oak Park, Dean (Nancy) of Oak Park;  ten grandchildren, Mindy (Troy) Johnson, Eric (Tessa), Mitchell (Jaclyn) Litfin, Elyse (Nick) Kremer, Andrew (Jenni) Chapp, Alexander (Tiah) Chapp, Kayla (Carter) Ash, Ryan (Britta) Erickson, Darin (Abby), Megan (Zach) Ziwicki and 12 great-grandchildren, Lily, Emma, Eisley, Braxtyn, Jaydyn, Charlotte, Hunter, Brinley, Levi, Theo, Thatcher and Isabel with one on the way in July. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Lucille Swanson along with many nieces, nephews and friends. 

Harriet was proceeded in death by her parents;  husband, Donald and siblings, Marion Swanson, Bernice Johnson, Bertil Swanson, Manly Swanson, Eunice Hanson, Viola Stoeckel and Maynard Swanson.