Harriet E. Cornelius

Harriet Elizabeth Cornelius, age 91 of Fond du Lac, died peacefully on Wednesday, March 9, 2016. She was born December 15, 1924 in Philadelphia, PA, daughter of the late Robert Ferris and Ruth Elizabeth (Patterson) Young. Harriet worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad in the 1940s and 1950s and enjoyed taking train trips around the country with her co-workers. In her 20s she lived in San Francisco with her sister and worked at the San Francisco post office and at a candy store. Her family was the first in their neighborhood to have a truck and telephone.On May 27, 1950, she married William T. Cornelius at Olney Baptist Church in Philadelphia. After Bill finished seminary in Philadelphia, they began their ministry of 42 years serving through the American Baptist Churches USA. They held pastorates in Delaware, Pennsylvania, New York, Nebraska and Wisconsin; and the regional office of the American Baptist Churches of Wisconsin and Camp Tamarack in Waupaca. Harriet was a devoted homemaker and mother; she loved to sew, do needlework, cook, bake and entertain. She and Bill took the family on many adventures, traveling across the country and camping in the National Parks. Bill and Harriet celebrated 40 years of marriage with their family and friends at Green Lake in 1990. Bill preceded her in death in 1994.Harriet was a seasonal resident and volunteer at Green Lake Conference Center (2000-2013). She loved nature, especially birds. She liked hiking, cross country skiing, water exercise at the Y and walking with her friends. Music was important to her and she loved to sing. She lent her beautiful soprano voice to church choirs and the Fond du Lac Women’s Chorus. She was a member of Memorial Baptist Church.Harriet had a great sense of humor and was passionate about life. She loved parades; Wisconsin and Philadelphia sports teams, and learned how to e-mail at age 84. She was a confidant to many and a beloved mother, grandmother, aunt and friend. She will be greatly missed.Harriet is survived by her children Bill of Willits, CA; Steve (Corrin) of Fond du Lac, Elaine (Mark Lewis) of Delmar, NY, Dave (Laura) of Green Lake, WI and Jean (Pete Weber) of Ripon WI; grandsons Dylan Lewis of Washington, DC, Samuel Lewis of Luang Prabang, Laos, James (Andrea) Anderson of Shawnee, KS; and granddaughters Heather Cornelius of Appleton, WI and Janelle (Josh) Lauck of Gayville, SD. She is also survived by nieces, nephews, and many other family members and friends. In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers Robert (Eleanor) and Calvin Young, and sister Ruth (Herb) Dobberstein. Visitation will be Monday, March 14 from 4:00-8:00 p.m. at Kurki-Mach Funeral Chapel, 31 E. Division St., Fond du Lac and on Tuesday, March 15 from 9:00-10:00 a.m. at Memorial Baptist Church, 645 Forest Avenue, Fond du Lac. A celebration of Harriet’s life will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday at Memorial Baptist Church with Rev. Brian Hastings officiating. Inurnment will follow the service at Estabrooks Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Memorial Baptist Church or to the charity of your choice.Harriet’s family expresses gratitude to Lincoln House of Fond du Lac. The staff went above and beyond caring for her this past year. She enjoyed the friendships she made with both the staff and residents during her time there.

Harriet E. Cornelius

December 15, 1924 - March 9, 2016