Harriet Stetz Obituary

On December 26, 2021, Harriet Stetz passed away peacefully at age 84 in the loving care of Pine Ridge Extended Care Center in Pagosa Springs, Colorado, where she had resided for the last 12 years.

Born Harriet Louise Hobus on April 28, 1937, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, she was the youngest of seven children, growing up in the latter years of the Great Depression in a loving and close-knit German-American family headed by August and Minnie Hobus. She graduated from Bay View High School in Milwaukee in 1955 and worked for Wisconsin Bell as an operator. She wed William Stetz in 1963, and welcomed two daughters, Terri Lee in 1964 and Suzanne in 1966. She lived in Tampa, Florida from 1970-1979, before returning to her home state of Wisconsin and settling in the town of Oostburg, where she worked for many years in Customer Service for Kmart Corporation. After retirement, she moved to Durango in 1998 to be close to her daughter's family and be a grandma to her precious grandchildren while her daughter and son-in-law opened a restaurant.

Throughout her life and in her retirement, Harriet felt a calling for volunteer service to the community and individuals in need through many roles to include Brownie Leader, Girl Scout Leader, Sunday School teacher, 4H Assistant Leader, Vacation Bible School volunteer, Car Pool Driver, as well as volunteering at Durango Community Hosted Holiday Meals and the Durango Food Bank. She loved reading and going to the library, was an excellent home cook and holiday celebrator. She loved to laugh and make others laugh. Her unconditional love for others broadened her circle of friends to welcome all. Everyone felt comfortable and cared for in her presence. She had a tremendous love for animals and welcomed in many strays over the years in need of a home.

She is survived by her daughter Terri Stetz (David Lipp), daughter Sue Fusco (Ken Fusco), and grandchildren Alyssa Fusco, Michael Fusco, Annie Fusco, Jacklyn Lipp, and Sabrina Lipp. She is preceded in death by her parents, six siblings and husband, Bill.

Harriet's life will be celebrated by her family at a future date in her home state of Wisconsin. If moved to remember her, she would have been happy and honored to know that contributions to the Wolf Refuge in Pagosa Springs or Durango Food Bank have been made in her honor. "Remember me with smiles and laughter, for that is how I will remember you all..." -Laura Ingalls Wilder-