Harriet Beckner

Harriet (Schreiber) Beckner, 93, passed away on February 1, 2013, at the Whitcomb Towers, St. Joseph, Michigan. She was born March 11, 1919, in Fairfax, Minnesota to Carl and Emily Gustafson. She was adopted by her aunt and uncle, Anna and Oscar Erickson of Coloma when she was an infant. She was a graduate of Coloma High School and Twin Cities Business College. For several years after graduation, she worked at Sears in Benton Harbor. For fifteen years, she was employed by the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department as a deputized clerk. She enjoyed a long and warm retirement in Florida, and moved back to Michigan in 2010. Her children were the pride, joy, and purpose of her life. She enjoyed needlework, travel, visiting with family and friends, and making Swedish pancakes for her family. She was proud of her Swedish heritage. At the age of 85, she traveled to Sweden and was thrilled to meet her relatives at the family homestead. She was a member of the First Congregational United Church of Christ, Coloma, and The United Church of Christ in Bradenton, Florida. Harriet is survived by her children, Edward Schreiber, Glendora; Connie Schreiber, Knoxville, Tennessee; Annette Messinger, Weidman; Wesley (Cheri) Schreiber, Coloma; Dennis (Connie) Schreiber, Columbus, Ohio; Keith (Debbie) Schreiber, Coloma; Mark (Lisa) Schreiber, Coloma; eleven grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, several step-children and step-grandchildren. In addition to her parents, Harriet was preceded in death by her son, Danny; her son-in-law, Jim Messinger; her husbands, Pat Schreiber, Sylvester Hazen, and Robert Beckner, four brothers, and one sister. Those wishing to memorialize Harriet may donate to: The Humane Society of SW Michigan , 641 S. Crystal Avenue, Benton Harbor 49022, or The Names Project Foundation, AIDS Memorial Quilt, Attn: Individual Giving, 204 14th Street, NW, Atlanta, GA 30318-4315. A memorial service to celebrate Harriet’s life will be held at the First Congregational United Church of Christ, Coloma, in the summer on a date to be announced.