01/04/2005
Jennie Magdalene (Shawver) Harsin was born on February 15, 1915 in Pleasantville, Iowa. She
was one of six children born to Daisy Matilda Richards and Cecil Albert Shawver.
Jennie graduated from Knoxville High School in 1932. She attended Normal School
at William Penn in Oskaloosa. Jennie taught school for one year in Flagler before
her marriage.
On February 23, 1936, she was united in marriage to Donald George Harsin.
To this union, four children were born. Jennie was a typical farm wife with a big
garden, canning extra produce, raising chickens, cooking, and helping with any other
chores that arose. Jennie was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and was
active in the Presbyterian Women and Women’s Circle. She was also active in the
Women’s Club in Knoxville. Jennie helped organize a girls’ 4-H club, the Cherie
Chix was their leader for many years.
She was a member of the DUV (Daughters
of Union, Veterans) and also a member of the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution).
Jennie played the piano and shared her skills at the Plymouth Presbyterian Church
as well as teaching piano lessons for many years. She still played the piano every
day at Park Lane Village for the residents.
Jennie helped organize her class reunion
every year. She was always an avid reader and still read five books every week from
the library. Free time was often spent sewing, quilting, or doing embroidery.
Jennie
Magdalene Harsin passed away on Tuesday, January 4, 2005, at the Knoxville Area Community
Hospital at the age of 89 years, 10 months, and 19 days. Her parents, husband, one
sister, Maurine Glenn, one infant brother, Cecil LeRoy Shawver, and one great-grandchild,
Worth Harsin, preceded Jennie in death.
Those left to mourn her passing are two
daughters and their husbands; Dixie and Ted Loynachan of Knoxville and Elaine and
Ralph Peters of Huntingburg, IN; two sons and their wives; Larry and Sandra Harsin
of Estherville and Kay and Shirley Harsin of Knoxville; 17 grandchildren and 25
great-grandchildren.
A Celebration of the Life of Jennie Magdalene Harsin was held
on Sunday, January 9, 2005, at Williams Funeral Home at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Kirk
Erwin officiating. Interment was in Breckenridge Cemetery in rural Marion County,
Iowa. Music was provided by Janet Westberg, vocalist, and Jim Kidder, organist. Musical
selections were “The Lord’s Prayer” and “Amazing Grace.”
The congregation sang “How
Great Thou Art” and “In the Garden.” Casket bearers were; Chris Brain, Eric Harsin,
Grant Harsin, Steven Harsin, Ward Harsin, Brian Loynachan, Terry Milligan, Manuel
Ramirez, and Daryl Van Wyngarden. Honorary casket bearers were; Faye Armstrong,
Meredith Armstrong, Susan Armstrong, Lyle Core, Reuben Core, Glenn Dyer, Phillip
Richards and Leland Shawver.
Memorials in her memory may be given to Breckenridge
Cemetery Association, First Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, or the Knoxville Public
Library. Williams Funeral Home handled the arrangements.