Harriet Caswell, 89 formerly of What Cheer, died Thursday, July 13, 2023 in Des Moines, Iowa. A graveside service will begin at 1:30 pm on Wednesday, July, 19, 2023 in the Sixteen Cemetery near Thornburg. Visitation with the family will be held Wednesday from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Holland-Coble Funeral Home in What Cheer. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the family.

Harriet Avis Caswell was born Nov. 17, 1933 to William and Viola (Murdock) McKay near North English, Iowa.  Harriet was the youngest of 11 siblings.  She attended school in What Cheer, Iowa graduating in 1951 and was a tenacious guard on her HS basketball team.  She graduated from the Americana Beauty School in Des Moines and passed the State Board exam in 1952. She worked in Williamsburg for 1 year and moved back to What Cheer where she opened "A & H" Beauty Shop above Manion's 5&10 store with Arlene Wells. She was united in marriage with John Caswell on Jan 22, 1955 in Oskaloosa, Iowa.  He preceded her in death on Jan. 30, 2003. She and John later added a beauty shop to their home in What Cheer that she owned and operated until 1965.  After moving to Newton in 1972 she worked in different beauty shops, managed a Casey's (formerly R&P grocery), True Value Hardware and Ambassador Steel Corp where she retired after 16 years as an Inventory Clerk. Harriet and John enjoyed traveling, including trips to attend John's Iwo Jima Naval reunions.  She was a devoted Hawkeye Basketball and Football fan.  She was baptized and a member of the Methodist Church.

Harriet is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, John Caswell; five brothers, Maynard, Bill Jr., Eugene, Earl and Ralph; and five sisters, Irene Baxter, Mildred Koehn, Kathleen Dillion, Alberta (Berty) Lewis and Virginia Frazer.

Harriet's memory will be cherished by her sons, Bruce Caswell and Mark (Lauren) Caswell; four grandchildren, Leslie, Jennifer, Kelsey (Blake) and Brody; four great-grandchildren: Madalyn, Sienna, Jasmine, Ruth; a great-great-grandchild, Emmet and many nieces, nephews and cousins.