Harriet Jean Stapleton, 86 of Caledonia, Min., born June 5, 1929, peacefully passed away surrounded by family on June 1, 2016 at Caledonia Care and Rehab.
Beloved daughter of Peter and Agnes (Peterson) Schiltz. Harriet graduated salutatorian from Loretto High School in Caledonia and Valedictorian of her class from the College of St. Theresa in Winona with teaching degrees in Music and English. She taught at The College of St. Theresa and Sleepy Eye. On Sept. 19, 1953, she married Patrick John “Sean” Stapleton of Thurles, Ireland at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Caledonia. They moved to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada where she sang for the Vancouver Opera Company and recorded music. In 1968, her growing family moved back to Caledonia where, along with family, they created Schiltz Farms Dairy and retail stores. Harriet was also active in the church as choir director and member of The Catholic Daughters of Americas.
While raising 11 children, Harriet also taught at Caledonia parochial achools as a substitute; directed and performed in local musicals; was a aoloist for weddings, funerals and special occasions; and also sang for the Shamrock Club, which she and husband Sean helped found. She was active with Special Olympics, Meals-on-Wheels, and an avid writer to the editor supporting Democracy.
Harriet is survived by her sister, Milda Wardenberg; sister in-law, Pat Schiltz; children, Mary Agnes “Madge” Johnson, Milda Enander, Catherine, Siobhan Barash, Peter, Una Sheets, John, Neans Moran, James and Brendan; grandchildren, Leah, Bridget, Benjamin, Margeaux, Grace, Jaqueline, Michelle, Sean, Aiden, Elise, Anya; great-grandchildren, Ava, Aaron, Rees, and Cadence.
She is preceded in death by husband, Sean Stapleton; son, Thomas; husband, Bud Mallory; siblings, Gene, Phyllis, Cecil, Mary Ann, Matthew and Kay.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 2 p.m., on Monday, June 6, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Caledonia. Visitation and celebration of what would be Harriet’s 87th birthday is Sunday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the McCormick Funeral Home, 205 E. Main, Caledonia and one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be in the Stapleton Cemetery, County Road 10 and Prairie Ridge Road.
Her family is most grateful for the years of care and loving support from the staff at Caledonia Care and Rehab., as well as the support of St. Croix Hospice in her final hours. www.mccormickfuneralhome.net