Sept. 20, 1927 — June 8, 2015

Harriet Agnes (Salter) Abshagen, 87, of Dowagiac, passed away on Monday, June 8, 2015, in Kalamazoo, Michigan at Borgess Medical Center.

A celebration of life service will be held Saturday, June 13, 2015, at noon at Clark Chapel and Cremation Services, 405 Center Street, Dowagiac. Officiating will be her nephew, James Abshagen. Friends may visit with the family from 11 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers or plants, memorial donations may be made to the Cass County Council on Aging “Speedy Hands” or the Dowagiac Area History Museum. Those wishing to leave a memory or condolence of Harriet online may do so at www.clarkch.com.

Harriet was born Sept. 20, 1927, in Dowagiac, to Sterly and Ruth (Finch) Salter. She graduated from Dowagiac Central High School in 1945. Harriet married the love of her life, Richard E. Abshagen on Nov. 26, 1947, in Dowagiac. She worked for the Dowagiac Daily News for 22 years in the classified department and accounting, and also worked for Ameriwood Products in Dowagiac for over 20 years in payroll and accounting. Harriet was a huge fan of the Detroit Tigers as well as the Chicago Cubs. She loved knitting, crocheting and sewing as well as baking with her grand and great-grandchildren. One of her favorite recipes was her potato chip cookies. She also enjoyed helping with her Class of 1945 reunion planning. Harriet also enjoyed rooftop concerts at the Gilmore in Kalamazoo.

Harriet is survived by her two daughters Joanna (Philip) Lundeberg of Fresno, California, and Susan Wilder of Dowagiac; grandchildren Amy (Steve Smith) Lundeberg of Sacramento, California and Jennifer (James) Torbet of Dowagiac; great granddaughters Sara Jane Torbet and Jillian Elizabeth Torbet. She also leaves behind two sisters-in-law; Annajune Abshagen of Lawton and Eunice Abshagen of Onaway, Michigan. She also leaves behind her exchange student family, Helga (Armando) Dierolf-Albarracin of Cali, Colombia, and their children Juan of South Bend, Indiana and Laura of Munich, Germany. Harriet was preceded in death by her husband Richard.