Harriet Kleinsasser, age 97, of Brookings, passed away Monday, January 8, 2018 at the Good Samaritan Society, in Howard, SD.

Harriet Elhoff was born on September 11, 1920, in Moody County, South Dakota to Fred and Jessie (Dunlap) Elhoff. Harriet received her education in Colman, SD and was a graduate of Colman High School in 1938. She continued her education at SDSU in Brookings and at the University of Sioux Falls where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education. She was united in marriage to Jerome “Jerry” Kleinsasser on August 14, 1943, in Colman, SD. Harriet taught school in Colton, Lennox, Egan and Brookings, SD.

She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Brookings, the Honored Women Educators of South Dakota and a life member of the SDEA, NEA, SDRTA and the Forty-Niners Extension Club. She was a past member of the National Forensic Leaque, PiKappa Delta, Elta Si Omega, Kappa Sigma Iota, Alpha Phi Sigma and Aplha Delta Kappa. She enjoyed reading, sewing, quilting, gardening, exercising at the SDSU Wellness Center, camping and spending time with her grandchildren at the Edelweiss Mountain home in the Black Hills of South Dakota.

Harriet is survived by her seven grandchildren: Lindsay, Jimmy (Lisa), Alayna (Mike), Jenny, Travis, Sara and Austin; six great grandchildren, her daughter-in-law, Peggy Kleinsasser, of Mitchell, SD and one brother Charles Elhoff of Arizona.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; sons, James and Rex; three sisters, Betty Stern, Elaine Rudd and Audrey Elhoff; one brother, Benjamin (Betty) Elhoff and one sister-in-law, Betty Elhoff.

Memorial service was held Monday, January 15, 2018 at First United Methodist Church, in Brookings. SD.

www.rudesfuneralhome.com