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Harriett Fern ‘Hattie’ Hamilton, 98

Harriett Hamilton passed away on Nov. 29, 2016, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. After a hospitalization early in September and a period of rehabilitation, she moved to Renaissance Assisted Living where she lived until her death. She received great care for the few weeks she resided there, especially her last few days.

Harriett was born the fourth of eight children in Gillette, Wyo., on April 25, 1918, to Bert and Mary Ann Harrod. She graduated from Campbell County High School in 1936 and then worked for Lipman’s Clothing until she married Dale Hamilton on Aug. 29, 1939. They lived outside Gillette in a small trailer next to the one-room school house where Dale taught grades 1-8. They were married for almost 60 years. In 1942, they relocated to Denver, Colo., hoping to increase their employment and life opportunities. Eventually, they bought land on the outskirts of Aurora, Colo., and built their family home where she remained until 2003.

Harriett was a stay-at-home mom for years caring for her sons, Richard and Gary, and her husband, Dale. During that time she was involved in school activities, many church functions and missions, as well entertaining lots of family members who came to Denver to obtain medical treatment and visit the big city. Her expertise was always hospitality and cooking good food. Richard remembers sleeping in the garage one whole summer while the house was filled with out of town company. She was also an avid corresponder and loved sitting and visiting with people.

In 1962, she and Dale opened their first laundromat. Their business was very successful and they ended up opening four other laundromats in Aurora and East Denver. They worked together until they sold them all and retired in 1977. After moving to Coeur d’Alene in 2003, Harriett joined the Rambling Rovers with whom she enjoyed many outings in the local area. Harriett loved to play games and would sometimes play cards with her sisters until after sunrise. She even learned to play “penny poker” with a group of seniors when she moved to Coeur d’Alene. She was a lifetime church attender and, most recently, a member of the Community United Methodist Women. Harriett was a doting grandmother and great-grandmother.

After Dale passed away in 1999, she continued to stay in her home in Aurora until the house and yard got to be too much. She finally decided in 2003 to leave her many friends, nieces and nephews to move to Coeur d’Alene where Gary and Lana lived. Because she was social and friendly, she soon made new friends and often stated that the move was a good one for her.

Harriett was preceded in death by her husband, Dale, and all of her siblings. She is survived by her sons, Richard (Claudette) of Lenexa, Kan., and Gary (Lana) of Coeur d’Alene; grandchildren Stephanie Hamilton (Chris Anderson), Mike Upshaw (Shannon), Scott Hamilton (Aleasha) and Mary Hamilton; and five great-grandchildren, Ava, Erik, Parker, Leela and Adalynn. Harriett is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Memorial gifts may be given to the Community United Methodist Church UMW mission or the charity of your choosing.

Her celebration of life will take place at 11 a.m. Friday, June 2, 2017, at the Methodist Church, 1470 W. Hanley Ave., Coeur d’Alene, with a reception to follow.