Mary Ann Harkman, 93, formerly of Dassel and Cokato, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on October 8, 2026 at the St. Cloud Hospital.
Mary Ann was born on December 21, 1932, to Levi and Ina (Hasti) Rokala at their family farmhouse in Kingston, Minnesota. She was baptized and confirmed in the faith at the First Apostolic Lutheran Church in Cokato. She attended Kingston Elementary and graduated from Dassel High School in 1950.
On February 24, 1951, Mary Ann united in marriage to Harlan Harkman in Mason City, Iowa. Together they shared 56 beautiful years of marriage and raised seven children with love, faith, and hard work.
In 1973 Mary Ann attended Hutchinson Vo-Tech to become a medical secretary. She was employed at the Buffalo Clinic until they moved to Scottsdale, Arizona in 1978. 1988 brought another move for Mary Ann when her husband opened Harlan’s Appliance store in Flagstaff, Arizona. She worked full time out of the home while living in Arizona.
In 1993, Mary Ann and Harlan moved back to Minnesota to retire, living in Elk River, Monticello, Dassel and Cokato. Mary Ann especially enjoyed visiting with her friends and having coffee at the Grounds or Double Shot in Cokato.
Mary Ann had a gift for creating beauty with her hands. A talented master quilter, she lovingly taught her daughter and granddaughters the art of quilting so that her love of creating beautiful quilts could live on through them. When entering her quilts for competition at the Wright County Fair, she came home with many Grand Champion (purple) and 1st Place (blue) ribbons.
Mary Ann was preceded in death by her husband, Harlan; her parents, Levi and Ina Rokala; brothers, John Rokala and Milton Rokala; sisters, Audrey Peterson and Ruth Janckila.
Mary Ann is survived by her children, Barbara (Ken) Timm, Diana (Bob) Maxwell, David (Brenda) Harkman, Bradley (Denise) Harkman, Karn (Jim) Canter, Kathryn Harkman, and Christopher Harkman; brother Carl (Bev) Rokala; and sister Margaret Mattila; 13 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends.
Those who loved her and were touched by her faith, kindness, and friendship will always have great memories of her and the willingness to share a part of her life. Our memories of her will forever remain in our hearts.
A funeral service for Mary Ann will be held on November 7, 2026 at the Good Shepherd Free Lutheran Church in Cokato, Minnesota at 11:00 AM with a visitation starting 1 hour prior to the service.
Funeral arrangements for Mary Ann have been entrusted to Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Cokato (320) 286-2534 and Howard Lake (320) 543-3401. www.swansonpeterson.com