Harriet M. Kellner

Our brilliant, resilient, beloved Harriet passed away on August 12, 2025. She was born in Duluth on February 9,1933 to Martha and Andrew Miller. Born with a blood disorder she survived and thrived, which became a recurring theme in her life.

Harriet grew up on the family farm in Cotton, Minnesota and attended Cotton School where she graduated valedictorian of her class. She became the first in her family to attend college, and graduated from the University of Minnesota, Duluth with a bachelor's degree in science, minoring in music which was a lifelong passion. Harriet earned her Master of Science degree from the University of Minnesota and taught at Hamline University and the U of M farm campus.

It was at a country dance at the Kelsey Town Hall that Harriet met the handsome WWII Marine veteran Matt Kellner. He would be the love of her life and partner in adventure for the next six decades. They were married in 1956 and moved to the Twin Cities.

After Harriet survived cancer the couple decided to move back to Cotton and take over the family farm. Together they enjoyed raising a daughter, helping to raise two grandchildren, delighting in their nieces and nephews, farming, gardening, hunting, fishing, and many engaging arguments.

Harriet loved music - composing hundreds of songs and performing the “music in her head.” She also loved teaching her piano students and celebrating their accomplishments. Harriet enjoyed her years with the Society of the Sigma Xi, V.F.W. Auxiliary, Ladies Aid, Cotton Community Church, Bible Study and Birthday Club.

Harriet is preceded in death by her parents, husband, sister Gladys Maijala, brother-in-law Edward Kellner, and sister-in-law Mary Good.

She is survived by daughter Juli, grandchildren Dane and Maja and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Harriet felt God’s grace and guidance in all aspects of her life, especially in her music and her miraculous recovery from cancer twice, two bouts of Covid, multiple strokes, and having a child after doctors told her pregnancy would be impossible.

Harriet will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.

Visitation Friday August 22 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Dougherty Funeral Home, 600 E. 2nd Street Duluth, MN 55805 and continuing Saturday August 23 from 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. Funeral Service at Cotton Community Church 7566 Arkola Road in Cotton with luncheon to follow.