Teresa Harmsen

Teresa Ann Harmsen (Terri), age 68, of Brandon, Wisconsin, passed away unexpectedly on August 24, 2017, at St. Agnes Hospital in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, following a car accident.

Terri was born in Brandon to Cora and Jabin Lawson on July 26, 1949. She attended school in the Brandon School District. She married Stanley D. Harmsen on May 12, 1967, at the Brandon United Methodist Church. They celebrated 50 years of marriage this past May. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, who cherished times when the whole family could be together. She raised four children while working full-time, and earned her Associates degree in accounting from Moraine Park Technical College. She retired from JM Smucker Company (formerly R-Line Foods) in Ripon, Wisconsin, where she worked her way from the factory to the payroll and accounting department. Terri was a survivor of colon cancer, and was an active participant in the American Cancer Society Relay for Life for many years. She was a member of the Fairwater Lions Club, and was instrumental in the fundraising and construction of a new playground at the park in Fairwater. She was also an active member of the Mattox-Henslin American Legion Auxiliary Post 0378 of Brandon and Fairwater for many years and took pride in imparting the history and traditions to the younger generations. She was deeply involved in the Brandon United Methodist Church, which lifted her up in so many ways. Her giving spirit will be remembered by these and many other organizations that benefited from her volunteerism. She was also a great historian for her family, church, and community.

She is survived by her husband, Stanley Harmsen; her four children: Rhonda (Rodney) Scheel of Stoughton, Laura (Lee) Neumann of Fond du Lac, Kevin (Gail) Harmsen of Fairwater, and Jason (Jamie) Harmsen of Fairwater; five brothers and sisters: Greg (Nancy) Lawson, Jo Ellen Hernandez, Steve (Julie) Lawson, Robert Lawson, and Michael Lawson; eight grandchildren: Austin, Zachary and Graham Scheel, Sarah and Matthew Neumann, Brooke and Joshua Harmsen, and Chase Harmsen; and countless extended family and friends.

Terri was preceded in death by her parents, Cora and Jabin Lawson; and her brother, Thomas Lawson.


Friends and relatives may call on the family on Wednesday, August 30, 2017, from 4:00 to 7:00pm at the Werner Harmsen Funeral Home, 201 East Jefferson Street, Waupun, Wisconsin 53963-2030.


Funeral services will be held at 1:00pm on Thursday, August 31, 2017, at Brandon United Methodist Church, 107 East Washington Street, Brandon, Wisconsin, 53919, with Pastor Laura Yates officiating. Fellowship time will follow the service at the church.


Memorials may be given to Brandon United Methodist Church.


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