Harriet Merkins, 86, of Ada, MN, died Friday, January 26, 2018 at Banner-Baywood Medical Center, Mesa, AZ, after a brief illness.

Harriet "Doodie" Ione Merkins was born on February 16, 1931 at the family farm near Hendrum, MN to Hans and Isabel (Brooks) Rockstad. Harriet was baptized, confirmed and married at Concordia Lutheran Church, rural Hendrum, MN.  She first attended District 74 Country School near the family farm and ultimately graduated from Ada High School in 1949.

Harriet married John Lawrence Merkins on July 8, 1949, and together they farmed on the Merkins' family farm near Ada, MN. She was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Ada, MN, where she taught Sunday School and served with the Ladies Aid.  She was also a member of the Ada VFW Auxiliary.  After almost 25 years of marriage, Harriet and Lawrence welcomed their only child, Tammy.  After Lawrence's retirement from farming in 1975, Harriet and Lawrence spent their winters in sunny Mesa, AZ.

Harriet's love of family and friends was always paramount. Everyone was welcomed into her kitchen with coffee, fresh baked goodies, and maybe a hotdish, to chat.  Even though she was one of 13 siblings, with a large extended family, she never forgot a birthday or anniversary, and always made sure everyone stayed connected.  She was always the "caretaker" in the family, watching over her siblings and their families and helping care for them as they got older.  In most recent years, she spent as much time as possible with her grandchildren, Jonathan and Morgan, who really were the light of her life.  Even after becoming ill, her grandchildren's presence still brought the biggest smile to her face.

Harriet is survived by her daughter Tammy Merkins (Eric Hausten) and grandchildren Jonathan and Morgan Hausten, all of Detroit Lakes, MN. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, four brothers, Clifford, Richard, James and Walter E., two infant brothers, Walter Leroy and Donald, and six sisters, Esther Hellerud, Helen Million, Isabel Hellerud, Grace Bergh, Irene Rockstad and Dorothy Bartz.

Funeral: 11:00AM Monday, February 5, 2018, at Grace Lutheran Church, Ada, MN.

Visitation: 2:00PM to 4:00PM with a 4:00PM prayer service on Sunday, February 4, 2018 at Fredrikson-Ganje Funeral Home in Ada.

Burial: Ada Municipal Cemetery, Ada, MN.