Services
Obituary
JoAnn M. Harle, 85, of Britt, Iowa passed away Tuesday, January 24, 2023, at New Perspective Senior Living Facility in Woodbury, MN.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, April 1, 2023 at the Britt Evangelical Free Church with Pastor Steve Couch officiating. There will be a time of fellowship following the memorial service in the fellowship hall of the church.
JoAnn Marlene Harle, the 4th daughter of Oscar and Mabel (Felland) Smeby was born July, 21, 1937 in Hanlontown, Iowa. She attended public school and graduated from Hanlontown High School in 1955. After graduation she was employed as a secretary at the Colby Pioneer Peat Company and enjoyed roller-skating and spending time with friends. On April 9, 1966, she was united in marriage to Alfred W. Harle and they raised their family of 3 girls on a farm in rural Britt. Later in life she was employed by the West Hancock School as a cook, a job she enjoyed very much. JoAnn loved cooking and baking and was known for her cinnamon rolls. She also enjoyed watching her grandchildren’s many sporting events and an annual summer vacation at Leech Lake, MN. As a youth she attended the Hanlontown Lutheran Church and after marriage she became a member of the Britt Evangelical Free Church, where she was very active. She was a deaconess and an Awana listener for many years and lived out her faith daily.
JoAnn is survived by her daughters, Tamara Becker, Michele (Mark) Nolby, and Heather (Erik) Rasmussen; as well as 7 grandchildren, Collin Becker, Mallory (Nick) Valentini, Gavin Becker; Seth (Maggie) Nolby, Erika Nolby, Megan Rasmussen and Gabe Rasmussen, all of Minnesota. She was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband, Alfred Harle, son-in-law James Becker and her 3 sisters, Ocella Ruby, Eileen Eystad and June Nitcher.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the West Hancock Scholarship Fund or the Britt Evangelical Summer Camp Fund.