1923
Harriet
2011
Harriet Chumbley
January 9, 1923 — September 4, 2011
Harriet B. Chumbley, 88, resident of Detroit Lakes, MN died September 4, 2011 at the Frazee Care Center in Frazee, MN under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley Harriet Bethel Tompkins was born in a log cabin on the shores of Mille Lacs Lake in Wigwam Bay, Minnesota on January 9, 1923 to Paul and Hattie Belle (Thompson) Tompkins. When Bethel (as she was called then) was 10 years old, she moved with her family to Nara Visa, New Mexico and graduated from Nara Visa High School in 1940. Bethel graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from West Texas State College in 1949 and married Miles Chumbley in 1951, becoming Harriet Chumbley. Devoting her life to children, Harriet taught elementary school in both Richardson and Sherman, Texas. Miles passed away in 1972. As a foster mother, Harriet cared for 20 foster children, helping them grow in a loving home and nurturing them to fulfill their potential. She also provided daycare in her home. Harriet taught Sunday School for nearly 50 continuous years in Texas and also led Cub Scouts, delivered Meals on Wheels and was a Hospice volunteer. After her retirement, Harriet relocated to Detroit Lakes MN in 1996 to be near her daughter Paula Kitzmann, her husband Stuart and her four grandsons. With Roosevelt Elementary School located right up the street, Harriet became a foster grandmother, known as Grandma Chumbley, to all the schoolchildren from 1995 to 2007, helping them learn to read and always making sure they listened quietly.
Harriet was a member of the Congregational Church in Detroit Lakes. She will be remembered and missed by her two children, David Chumbley of Sherman, Texas; and Paula (Stuart) Kitzmann of Detroit Lakes along with seven grandchildren: Felicia Chumbley (Zack) Robertson of Taylor, Texas, Miles (Lacey) Chumbley of Sherman, Texas; Nathan Kitzmann of St. Paul, MN, and Noah, Gabe and Elijah Kitzmann of Detroit Lakes, and Kayla Stoeger of Lander, Wyoming. Her great-granddaughter Ella Grace Chumbley was born on August 31, 2011 just hours before Harriet suffered a stroke. Great-grandson Xavier Robertson will be joined in the next few weeks by Harriet's third great-grandchild. Harriet is also survived by her sister, Marjorie Corley of Aurora, Colorado, and special friend Lise Chumbley of Taylor, Texas. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Miles; a son, Winston; and her brothers Preston, Richard, David, and sister Irene. She will be buried at Vittitoe Cemetery in Grayson County, Texas with her husband during a family gathering this Fall. Memorials in Harriet Chumbley's name may be sent to the Congregational Church (900 Lake Ave. Detroit Lakes, MN 56501) or Hospice of the Red River Valley (1102 W. River Rd. Detroit Lakes, MN 56501)
Funeral Home: David Donehower Funeral Home 609 Hwy 10 East Detroit Lakes, MN US 56501
Visitation: Sunday, September 4, 2011
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Harriet was a member of the Congregational Church in Detroit Lakes. She will be remembered and missed by her two children, David Chumbley of Sherman, Texas; and Paula (Stuart) Kitzmann of Detroit Lakes along with seven grandchildren: Felicia Chumbley (Zack) Robertson of Taylor, Texas, Miles (Lacey) Chumbley of Sherman, Texas; Nathan Kitzmann of St. Paul, MN, and Noah, Gabe and Elijah Kitzmann of Detroit Lakes, and Kayla Stoeger of Lander, Wyoming. Her great-granddaughter Ella Grace Chumbley was born on August 31, 2011 just hours before Harriet suffered a stroke. Great-grandson Xavier Robertson will be joined in the next few weeks by Harriet's third great-grandchild. Harriet is also survived by her sister, Marjorie Corley of Aurora, Colorado, and special friend Lise Chumbley of Taylor, Texas. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Miles; a son, Winston; and her brothers Preston, Richard, David, and sister Irene. She will be buried at Vittitoe Cemetery in Grayson County, Texas with her husband during a family gathering this Fall. Memorials in Harriet Chumbley's name may be sent to the Congregational Church (900 Lake Ave. Detroit Lakes, MN 56501) or Hospice of the Red River Valley (1102 W. River Rd. Detroit Lakes, MN 56501)
Funeral Home: David Donehower Funeral Home 609 Hwy 10 East Detroit Lakes, MN US 56501
Visitation: Sunday, September 4, 2011
Previous Events
ServiceSaturday, September 17, 2011
2:00 PM
Congregational Church
900 Lake Ave
Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
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