Harriet Pearl Schneider, 83, Sturgis, died Thursday, October 3, 2013, at Sturgis Regional Hospital.

Visitation will be Monday, October 7, 2013, from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Kinkade Funeral Chapel.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, October 8, 2013, at 1:00 p.m. at Jehovah's Witnesses Kingdom Hall in Sturgis with Brother Randy McCormick officiating. Burial will follow at Black Hills National Cemetery.

Harriet was born June 29, 1930, on a farm in Bowman County, ND, to Lester and Ethel Potter. She married Joseph Heinrich Schneider on January 29, 1952. She always said the birds were singing on this lovely 52 degree day in Dickinson, ND. She entered this marriage with a son, Roger, who Joe raised as his son.

They settled in Garrison, ND, where they had an additional seven children. Every year, she would end up in the hospital because of her asthma. In 1979, her sons encouraged them to move to Whitewood, SD, where the weather conditions were better and she no longer had to be treated for asthma. Joe died after they were married for 50 years. She continued to live in Whitewood until 2012 when she entered the Sturgis Regional Senior Care. They all loved her there and said they wished there were more like her. She never complained.

Harriet became one of Jehovah's witnesses on November 23, 1963. Through the Christian congregation, she had a large spiritual family. She liked to be one of the first to arrive at services and would stand near the door and welcome everyone and give them a hug.

She is survived by seven children, Barbara of Rapid City, Henry (Chris) of Bridger, MT, Dennis of Mitchell, SD, Leo (Mackie) of Rawlins, WY, June and Diane (Paul) Kerr, all of Sturgis, and Marshel (Shannon) of Whitewood; and daughter-in-law, Marie Schneider of St. Onge. She also leaves behind 23 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; one brother, Wilbur (Marcella) Potter of Rapid City; and one sister, Elaine Buchholz of Stanton, ND. Many of the people who were touched by her called her "Mom."

She was preceded in death by her husband, Joe; son, Roger; grandson, Joey; granddaughter-in-law, Paula; brother, Lavern; and sister, Fern.

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