Harriet Lien

Leona Harriet (Gatz) Lien came into this world April 22, 1941, the daughter of Prosper and Doris Gatz, and the baby sister of Larry. She left this life September 10, 2024.  She attended school and graduated from Monango Public School. She attended college in Ellendale, ND with the intention of becoming a teacher; however, she followed a different path and took a bookkeeping position with Farmers Union Oil Co. in Jamestown, ND.  She later moved to the insurance department of Farmers Union, and was trained as a computer programmer with her dear friend and coworker, Jan Roaldson.

She met and fell in love with a young truck driver while working at the oil company.  Nels E. (Buddy) Lien and Harriet were married October 14, 1962. After living in Jamestown for about 5 years they moved to a couple different farmsteads in the Ypsilanti area. In 1972 they moved for the last time, building their own farming and ranching operation on land Nels bought from his Grandfather.

Harriet loved animals; all animals, but especially horses. She and her Dad would break horses, and she loved to teach them tricks. She said you can tell a horse all your secrets, they’ll never tell a soul. Her love of horses and riding never ended, she took her last ride when she was 72 years old, beaming with joy.

Nels and Harriet raised three children, Lauri Ann, Linda Kay, and Dustin Edward. They instilled the love of farming and ranching in their children. They made sure they all knew how to drive a tractor (often times pulling a rock picker), drive a truck, chase a cow, watch a gate, halter-break a calf, and change a flat tire.

Harriet cared for Buddy as his health declined until he became a resident of Eventide Memory Care.  After his death she remained on the farm until November 2020 when she moved to Rosedale care facility. Sadly, she was unable to recover from a fall August 30, 2024 and received amazing end of life care through the JRMC Hospice program.

Harriet has been loved and will be missed by her big brother, Larry and his wife Kathy. Children Lauri and husband Troy, Linda and husband Warren, Dustin and wife Lucinda. Grandchildren Jacee (Matt) Davis, Taylor (Lisa) Lund, Jordan (David) Becker, Brooks (Haleigh) Zenker, Ian, Ella, and Prosper Lien. Great-grandchildren, Neylin, Lainey and Kolt Davis, Roan Lund, Jax, Joslyn, and Zayden Becker, and Isla Zenker. Brothers in law Norman (Cheryl) Lien, Palmer (Karen) Lien, Sister-in-law Betty (Curt) Sprenger, Sister-in-law, Shirley Grondahl, many nieces and nephews and special friend, Jan Roaldson.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brother-in-law CR Grondahl, sister-in-law Phyllis Lien and In-laws, James & Avis Lien.

Visitation will be 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM followed by a prayer service at 7:00 PM, Sunday, September 15, 2024 at Eddy Funeral Home, Jamestown, ND.  Funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM, Monday, September 16, 2024 at Montpelier Lutheran Church, Montpelier, ND with Pastors Kristi Weber and Lucinda Lien officiating.  Interment will be in James Valley Cemetery, Ypsilanti, ND.

Eddy Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.