Harriet S. Slaga, age 78, of Tomahawk, WI, passed away on Tuesday, January 31, 2023, at Unity Point Health – Meriter Hospital in Madison, WI, with family by her side. She was born on March 23, 1944, in Merrill, WI, to the late Harold L. Hanson and Viorene Hanson. She was a lifelong resident of Lincoln County where she was well known in both Merrill and Tomahawk. Harriet married Joseph J. Slaga of Tomahawk on September 24, 1960. She was a dedicated wife and loving mother to four children (who all contributed to her grey hair).
Her career highlights included advertising at the Tomahawk Leader, owner and operator of the Merrill Courier, and owner of the Once Read Bookshop in Merrill. She also served on the Tomahawk School Board. Harriet was a sassy Swede who loved spending time at her cottage on Burrows Lake, which was her refuge.
She enjoyed pontoon rides, campfires with children and grandchildren, keeping tabs on the lake’s loons, and swimming. A devoted Milwaukee Brewers fan, she often would listen to the games on the radio while sitting on the cottage deck where she could survey the tranquil lake activity (while cursing the Brewers if they were losing). Harriet also enjoyed playing Scrabble, Word with Friends, crossword puzzles, and chatting on the phone with her dear friends.
Harriet is survived by her husband, Joseph Slaga; her children, Lorrie (Chris) Schlender, of Merrill, Lynn Slaga, of Arvada, CO, Lisa (Mark) Walder, of Wittenberg, WI, and Peter (Patty) Slaga, of Camarillo, CA; her brother, Clark (Jackie) Hanson, of Fort Myers, FL; her grandchildren, Anna Schlender, of Chapel Hill, NC, Emily (Dustin) Bonack, ofMerrill, Heinrich (Kayla) Walder, of Wausau, WI, and Audrey Slaga, Sarah Slaga, and Xavier Slaga, all of Camarillo, CA. Grandma “GiGi” was blessed with three great-grandchildren, Henry Bonack and Scarlett Bonack of Merrill, and Maverick Walder of Wausau. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
Harriet was preceded in death by her parents, Harold L. Hanson and Viorene Hanson; herbrothers,Halvor Hanson, Carlton Hanson, and Peter Hanson; and her sister, Wanda Verbist.
A memorial service for Harriet will be held on Tuesday, February 7, at 2:00 PM, at Generations Funeral Home in Tomahawk. The family will receive friends for visitation from 1:00 PM until the time of services at 2:00 PM. Generations Funeral Home & Crematory is assisting the family. You may view Harriet’s obituary and leave online condolences atgenerationsfuneral.com.
The family will be scheduling an internment in the spring at Merrill Memorial Park in Merrill with the date to be determined.