Ferma J. Harnett

Our dear mother, Ferma Jean Criswell Harnett, passed away on July 17, 2010 after a brief illness. She was our inspiration, our nucleus, our stability. Ferma's love and guidance gave us a foundation to grow and achieve our dreams.
Ferma was born May 24, 1928 in Beloit to parents William and Clara (Brown) Criswell. She attended Pleasant Hill Country School near Victor, another country school near the Cloud county line, and Simpson High School, graduating in 1946. After graduation she moved to Beloit and worked at the county extension office.
Ferma married Dean Harnett on December 8, 1948. They lived in Beloit. In 1952 she began working at Shamburg Oil Company alongside Dean where she spent the next 40+ years. To this union three children were born: Cynthia (Cindy), Joy, and Terry.
Ferma's passion was being a mom. She flourished when she was taking care of her family. She loved being a part of her children's lives. She was supportive of each of their careers and projects and was always there when they needed her. Ferma and Dean worked hard to provide their children with a comfortable and secure upbringing. They enjoyed taking family vacations, camping, and entertaining friends. Ferma's other passion was volunteering in her community. She spent tireless hours with the PTA and AFS when her children were in school. She also volunteered for the hospital auxiliary, 4-H, the Little Red Schoolhouse, Meals on Wheels, Beloit Tourism, making teddy bears for the hospital's emergency room, and Isle of Lights, to name a few.
Ferma was a member of the Beloit United Methodist Church, Beloit Country Club, EHU, and Qui' Bene'.
She was an accomplished seamstress, making many clothes for her family. She enjoyed crafts and made more quilts than she could count. Her hands were never idle.
She leaves to mourn her passing her children and families: Cindy Lang and husband Ken, Joy Brennan and husband Greg, Terry Harnett, and AFS exchange daughter Alison Cribb and husband Michael from Australia. She enjoyed her three grandsons, Tyler and Trevor Harnett and Lukas Brennan. She was fortunate to also have three step grandchildren Angie Bettencourt and husband Mark, Amy Goeckler, and Kimberly Dressman and husband Greg, and four great grandchildren. Ferma also enjoyed a special relationship with her nieces and nephews, and sister-in-law Erma Criswell.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Dean, her sister Noralee Hennes, and brother Bud Criswell. Ferma will be sadly missed by her family, friends, and community.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 AM Wednesday, July 21 at the Beloit First United Methodist Church. Visitation will be from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM Tuesday at McDonald Funeral Home. Memorials may be given to the Chautauqua Isle of Lights.