Harriet F. (Cherp) Smishek

Harriet Ferne (Cherp) Smishek, age 77, of North Mankato died peacefully at her home Tuesday, February 6, 2018, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. 

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, February 12, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, North Mankato with Rev. Paul van de Crommert officiating.  Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Mankato.  Visitation will be held from 2-5 p.m. Sunday at Northview - North Mankato Mortuary, 2060 Commerce Drive, North Mankato.  Visitation continues one hour before the service at the church on Monday.  Memorials may be given to Mayo Hospice, VINE, or Special Olympics of MN.

Harriet was born on September 30, 1940, to Harry and Ferne (Madoll) Cherp in Tyler, MN.  She was a 1958 graduate of Ivanhoe High School and a 1959 graduate of St. Joseph’s School of Practical Nursing in Mankato. She began her nursing career in 1960 at Marshall Hospital in Marshall. On April 22, 1961, she married Richard Smishek at Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Ivanhoe.  They moved to Mankato and she continued her nursing career at both Immanuel Hospital and at the combined Immanuel-St. Joseph’s Hospital.  She worked as an LPN for 50 years and absolutely loved being a nurse.  She had an incredibly caring heart and her family meant the world to her.  She loved family gatherings and cooking for a crew.  She was an avid reader and never missed a good sale.

Harriet is survived by her six children, David, Brian & Neal Smishek of North Mankato, Danna Smishek of Plymouth, Darcy Cline of St. Peter, Jason Smishek of St. Louis Park; two grandsons, Kyle and Jared Cline of St. Peter; one brother, William (Diane) Cherp of Ivanhoe; two sisters, Mary (John) Milionis of Sun Lakes, AZ and Marlene (Bryan) Stenlund of Grand Rapids, MN; one brother-in-law, Michael Smishek of Marshall and one sister-in-law, Judith (Donald) Smishek of Rapid City, SD; special niece, Jane (Michael) Schwarz and family Jacquelyn, Josslyn, Justin, Dustin, Drew, McKenna and Owen.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard; parents; mother and father-in-law; and brother, John.