Obituary of Maren P. Harrison

     Maren P. Harrison passed away peacefully surrounded by family on April 19, 2023. She was a beloved mom, grandma, and life partner. Maren was born Maren Karine Peterson on July 15, 1945 in Corpus Christi, TX to Paul G. Peterson and Harriet “Fins” Peterson. When she was six years old, she lived in Oslo, Norway with her parents for a year while her father completed a Fulbright Scholarship. Afterwards, she grew up in both Marion, VA and Gettysburg, PA before graduating as a math major from St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN. She was married to (and later divorced from) Richard Harrison with whom she welcomed her beloved daughter, Mary Elise Harrison in 1976.

     Maren had a long and successful career as an engineering manager at “the phone company” (Northwestern Bell/USWest/Qwest) where she met her life partner, Jim LaValle. Together for 39 years, they built a beautiful life. She was active in her church, Westwood Lutheran, where she was a Stephen Minister among other volunteer roles. She later had a second career supporting financial planning. Besides her daughter, with whom she was very close, her greatest joys were her grandchildren, Peter Howard (13) and Grace Howard (11). She was a highly-involved and devoted grandma who provided child care and did all the “grandma” things with them.

     Maren is survived by her life partner, Jim LaValle, her daughter, Mary Harrison (Patrick Howard), her grandchildren, Peter and Grace Howard, her brother, Rolf Peterson (Debra Bean), Jim’s family from a previous marriage (children Kathy and Greg and grandchildren Tara (John), and Elora (Leen)), as well as many other family members and friends. A memorial service will be held on May 11, 2023 at Westwood Lutheran Church in St. Louis Park, MN. Visitation at 10:00, Service at 11:00, and lunch to follow at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to American Lung Association, Second Harvest Heartland, or St. Olaf College. The memorial service will be live-streamed https://www.westwood.church/watch-funeral.