Joan Hebrink Harris, 89, of Thief River Falls died March 15, 2011 at the Sanford Palliative Care Unit in Fargo, ND after suffering a heart attack in her home in Thief River Falls on March 4, 2011.

A memorial service will be held on March 21 at the United Methodist Church in Thief River Falls at 2 pm, followed by a reception gathering in the church fellowship hall. Internment will occur in June at the Acacia Park Cemetery in Mendota Heights, Minn. Visitation with the family will occur at 1:30 pm prior to the memorial service.

Joan H. Harris was born on August 2, 1921 in Kandiyohi County near Prinsburg, Minn., the daughter of Jon and Grace (Slagter) Hebrink. She attended primary and secondary schools in Kandiyohi County, graduating from Clara City High School.

On July 3, 1942 Joan was united in marriage with Curtis T. Harris. During World War II Joan worked in Minneapolis in a munitions factory while her husband served abroad as a pharmacist mate in the U.S. Navy. Following the war the couple resided in Minneapolis where Curtis Harris studied for a doctorate in medical entomology at the University of Minnesota. In 1952 the family moved to Thief River Falls, where Joans husband established the Harris Insurance Agency.

Joan was an excellent homemaker, nurturing and raising her five children in the same house in which she lived until her death. Widowed in 1972, Joan continued to stay active in the local community and her church. She participated in many volunteer activities including the hospital ladies auxiliary group. In her later years she enjoyed traveling throughout the United States to visit her children, who resided across the country from Alaska to the east coast, as well as traveling to Europe.

Joan was a member of the United Methodist Church and active in the church circle groups and the Sunday school program. Following her youngest sons death in 1977 she helped establish a grief counseling group within the church to help others suffering from the loss of loved ones. She was a long-time supporter of the Teen Missions organization, in which her son James had participated by providing missionary field assistance in the Amazon Rain Forest area of Brazil.

Survivors include her children, Curtis M. (Linda) Harris of Anchorage, Alaska, John W. (Rhoda) Harris of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Mary Jo (Eric Johnson) Harris of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Leigh Ann (Tod) Merley of the Seattle, Washington area; seven grandchildren, Curtis T. and James Harris of Anchorage, Alaska, Joseph (Nicole) Harris of Richmond, Virginia, Andrew Harris of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Heidi Jackson of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Hannah Merley of Pullman, Washington and Matthew Merley of Ocean Shores, Washington; one great-grandchild Simon Jackson; and sister Ethel (Maitland) Brempell of Iron River, Wisconsin; and numerous nieces, nephews other relatives and friends.

Joan was preceded in death by her husband in 1972, her son James in 1977; her parents; and her brothers Walter and Glenn Hebrink.

Family condolences may be sent by visiting johnsonfuneralservice.com. Honorariums may be sent to Teen Missions in memory of Joan and James Harris at teenmissions.org/donate/.