Harriet Louise Mattei

Harriet Louise Mattei, age 95, of Grand Rapids, MN passed peacefully to eternal rest on January 2, 2025, at Solvay Hospice House in Duluth, MN. 

Harriet was born on February 22, 1929, in Duluth to Harold and Lillie Granquist. She was the youngest of three children with older brothers Kenneth and Richard. Harriet attended Washburn Elementary, East Junior High and graduated from Duluth Central in 1946. She enrolled in the University of Minnesota Duluth where she earned a teaching degree in Home Economics. In the fall of 1950, Harriet began teaching Home Economics in Grand Rapids where she met her future husband, Pierre Mattei, who began teaching Industrial Arts there in 1952. The two were wed on July 25, 1953.

Harriet suspended her teaching career in 1957 to start a family and build a home in the Southwest neighborhood of Grand Rapids. In the early 1970s she returned to teaching. She helped start a program in the Grand Rapids Senior High school designed to teach young expectant mothers’ life and parenting skills. In her later years, Harriet also volunteered in the elementary schools by reading to children and acting as “guest grandma” for the classes. 

As a member of Zion Lutheran Church for over 60 years, Harriet generously contributed to many charitable programs in the community. She used her skills as a seamstress to help produce over 500 quilts for the underserved. She also served the community as an election judge for many years and was an active member of the American Association of University Women.

Harriet loved to cook and host her family and neighborhood friends. She enjoyed reading, going for walks with friends and spending time at the family cabin. She is preceded in death by her husband Pierre, parents Harold and Lillie and brothers Kenneth and Richard. She is survived by sons Paul (Jean), David (Krislyn) and Robert (Brenda); grandchildren Nicholas (Holli), Tony (Valarie), Andie, Lindsay, and Margo; and great granddaughter Eloise.

The Mattei family wishes to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at Essentia St. Mary’s Hospital and Solvay Hospice House in Duluth for their kindness and care in her final days. 

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Second Harvest Northland Food Shelf in Grand Rapids.

A funeral will be held for Harriet at 11:00 AM on March 29, 2025, at the Zion Lutheran Church in Grand Rapids followed by a gathering and celebration of her life. Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home. 600 E. 2nd St. Duluth, MN 55805. 218-727-3555.