Marjorie Harmon

Marjorie Agnes Warren Harmon, age 79, of Fargo, ND, died Friday, August 15, 2008, at home surrounded by her family and under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley. Marj was born to Seral I. and Agnes Dunkel Warren in Gary, Indiana on December 13, 1928. She attended public schools in Indiana, Wisconsin, Texas and Illinois. Following two years at Blackburn College, Carlinville, Illinois, she graduated from the Gary Indiana Methodist School of Nursing. In 1951 she married Keith W. Harmon in Valparaiso, Indiana. She worked as a registered nurse in Indiana as well as Florida, Michigan, Minnesota, Colorado and North Dakota. She earned her BS from North Dakota State University where she was awarded the Phi Kappa Phi key for academic excellence, and went on to add fifty-three hours of graduate work to her credentials. Her keen interest in the many aspects of nursing led her to private duty, medical surgery, obstetrics and emergency room nursing. During her career she served in supervisory positions including supervisor of nurses and Director of Nursing Services in Lansing, Michigan. She was a nursing instructor at St. Luke’s School of Nursing, Fargo. She particularly enjoyed working with students, helping them develop not only competence in nursing skills, but a sense of compassion, empathy and respect for patients; qualities she consistently exhibited toward all both in her personal and professional life. Many of those nurses made a point of visiting with Marge when she was hospitalized to express their appreciation for her influence in their lives. She enjoyed knitting and was an avid reader and follower of the Minnesota Twins. Marge loved to follow national and world news and had an unending thirst for knowledge. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and Daughters of the American Revolution. She particularly treasured time with family and friends at her cabin on Round Lake, Minnesota. Marj was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved step-mother; and her mother-in-law whom she dearly loved. She is survived by her children, Gareth Anne Cochran, David Gene Harmon (Sally) of Fargo, and Margot Elizabeth (Jay) Drayton of Burnsville, MN; nine grandchildren, David (Mandi) Cochran, Courtney Cochran (Jesse) Donahue, Stephen Cochran, David G. (Tanya) Harmon, Erik Harmon, Michael Harmon, and Alexandra, Bailey and Thomas Drayton; three great-grandchildren, Kaden and Lila Cochran and Devin Harmon; and two step-great grandchildren, Kole and Ellyse Donahue. In addition, she is survived by two sisters, Janet Warren (John) Little, Lowell, Indiana and Louisa Warren (Roger) Davidson, Crofton, Maryland, and one brother, Stephen Allen (Evelyn) Warren, Campbell, California and seventeen nieces and nephews. She will be dearly missed by her family and friends who reciprocated her unfailing love and support. An open house and time of remembrance for family and friends will be held Sunday, August 17, 2008 from 2 to 4 PM at the home of David and Sally Harmon, 110 21st Ave. N, Fargo.