Harriet Binger, age 86, of Huron and formerly of Hitchcock, passed away Wednesday, January 16, 2019, at the Huron Regional Medical Center. Her funeral service was held at 10:30 AM, Wednesday, January 23rd at the Bonilla Presbyterian Church. Burial was in the Restlawn Memory Gardens Cemetery.
Harriet Elaine Cockrell was born October 1, 1932, to Harry and Elsie (Kissner) Cockrell at Redfield.She grew up south of Tulare.Harriet attended school at Tulare and graduated from high school there in 1950. When she finished high school, Harriet worked at Northwestern Public Service at Huron. On March 27, 1954, Harriet married Neill Binger at the First United Methodist Church at Tulare. After Neill finished basic training in the U.S. Army, Harriet then joined him during his time in the Army.After Neill's honorable discharge, they returned to farm near Hitchcock, and raised their family there.
As an active member of the Bonilla Presbyterian Church, Harriet was involved with the United Presbyterian Women and Bonilla Presbyterian Session.
She was an avid gardener. Harriet enjoyed crafting, sewing and cooking. She also enjoyed playing basketball on a city league for a few years. Harriet worked at the South Dakota State Fair for several years during the week-long event. She cherished the time spent with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Neill on May 6, 2015; two brothers, Clayton and Susie Cockrell and Meryl Cockrell; and brothers and sisters-in-law, Rodney Ost, Lyman LeGrand, Gilbert and Connie Binger and Mary Ann and Gene Bartee.
Grateful for having shared in her life are her four children and their spouses, Debra and Rod Schaefer of Brookings, Karen and Lenny Peterson of Hitchcock, Greg and Debbie Binger of Hitchcock and Gina and Loren Haak of Yankton. She will be missed by her seventeen grandchildren, Tara Schaefer, Matthew and Amy Schaefer, Kyle and Rachel Schaefer, Kassie and Jake Boomsma, Mitchell and Miranda Peterson, Randi and Mikinley Albrecht, Brooke and Zachary Rykhus, Alyssa and Craig Toman, Chase and Cynthia Binger, Dylan and Megan Binger, LaMour Binger and finance, Austin Eggl, Payton Binger, Presley Binger, Ashtyn Haak, Logan Haak, Lance Haak and Carson Haak; and sixteen great-grandchildren. She is also survived by five siblings, Norma and Leon Palmer, Dennis Cockrell, Ruby and Gary Huggett, Harry and Mary Ann Cockrell, Jr., and Evelyn Ost; her friend, Gordon Marzhan; and two sisters-in-law, Dee Cockrell and Nancy LeGrand.