Harriett M. (Williams; Ohman) Brunelle, 93, died Sept. 11, 2016.
She was proud of her service as a Navy WAVES Yeoman 2nd Class during World War II. She was affectionately known as “Yeoman Ohman” and joked, “I joined the Navy to see the world and ended up in Ottumwa, Iowa.” After the war, Harriett worked as an executive secretary for the head football coach at the Naval Academy in Annapolis. Moving back to Minnesota a few years later, Harriett was an executive secretary for leaders of Pillsbury and Stanley Home Products before getting married and raising her children.
Harriett returned to the workforce at the University of Minnesota, retiring at age 70. She was generous with her time, volunteering at church, her children’s schools, Boy Scouts, Blue Birds, and most recently at the Heritage apartments on the Lyngblomsten campus.
Harriett was known as the “Movie Lady” there, arranging and presenting movies every weekend. She recently received recognition for 1,000 hours of volunteer work at the Lyngblomsten campus.
Harriett was always up for a game of cribbage or pounce, loved new gadgets and listening to music. In the past few years, a fun day out for Harriett was traveling to the casino at Hinckley with her son.
Most of all Harriett loved people, whether family, friends or strangers. She would strike up a conversation with anyone. Her generous spirit and warm smile were always her trademarks and are truly missed. Life threw her many curves but she enjoyed life and treated it like an adventure, inspiring her children and grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her sisters, Mariel and Lucille; two husbands; and special friend, Martin Coyne. She is survived by her daughter, Janet (Michael) Shaver; son, Dave (Jan) Williams; sister, Shirley Knutson; grandchildren and grandchildren.
The family expresses deepest appreciation to the staff at the Heritage, Lyngblomsten Home Health and Health Partners Hospice, who helped Harriett live life to the fullest and made her final days peaceful.
Interment was at Fort Snelling.
