Harriet E. Sewell

NORTH POLE, Ala. -- Harriet Elaine Sewell, 81, beloved wife and mother, passed on to be with the Lord on Aug. 6, 2005. Harriet was born in Eveleth, Minn., on Dec. 30, 1923, to Luzetta Roycraft Rice and William Clarence Rice.

She married the love of her life, James Thomas Sewell on March 22, 1947, in Brainerd, Minn. where they happily began their family and business. They moved to Alaska in 1965 to follow their dreams and settled in North Poll in 1973 in the log home they built together.

Harriet was well known and loved for her hospitality and friendship, sharing her fresh baked breads and home cooked meals, often offering her home and heart, a place where everyone was always welcome and strangers were friends.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 57 years, James Sewell, on Nov. 24, 2004. She is survived by her children, William, Patrick, LeRoy, Barbara, Timothy and Catherine; six grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; her sister, Phyllis Lundquist; and many beloved nieces and nephews who will miss her dearly.

A joint memorial service for Harriet and James will be held at Riverside Union Church at 4 p.m. on Sept. 17. A reception will follow at Thon's.

In lieu of flowers and in their honor, memorial donations for the James and Harriet Sewell memorial fund in care of Catherine Sewell, 2424 Outside Blvd., North Pole, Ala. 99705, or MT. McKinley Bank, N. Pole, Ala.