Joe An Harris was born in Hawley, Minnesota on September 5, 1931. The stock market had crashed and her father, Harry Dallum, a butcher by profession, had joined the ranks for the unemployed. Little Joannie was left with her paternal grandparents so that her father and mother, Ruthe (Hall) Dallum could search for work.
The bond between Joe An and her grandparents ,who had recently immigrated from Norway, and particularly with her gramma, Hannah, modeled the closeness that Joe An had with her own grandchildren, Nicholas, Hunter and Amanda Poole and Austen and Lily Peterson. The scarcities of being raised during the 1930’s and ‘40’s were to establish the core character of Jo Anne: grit, and unerring ability to cut to the quick, personal responsibility, determination, and acceptance of and immediate resolution, and an inability to complain or permit it from others.
As the economy prospered in the early 1950’s, Joe An’s parents settled in Cutbank, Montana where Joe An graduated from high school and later married Lee Duane Harris. The two raised three children, Lee, Kim, and Melanie. Employed as a roughneck for Mobile Oil, Lee and the family followed the boom to Farmington, New Mexico. During the ‘60’s, Joe An liberated herself from the typical housewife traditions and enrolled in college.
Fascinated by the ideals during the social upheaval of the Age of Aquarius, Joe An became a lifelong rabid democrat and the believer in the tenants of the Great Society.
Another move back to Montana, she graduated from college Eastern Montana College and began her 24 year career as an English teacher. Settling in Helena, she worked at Capital High School. Joe An turned her fierce determination to enlightening often reluctant students about the dangers of dangling participles, split infinitives, Shakespeare, parallel sentence structure, and how to write a paragraph. Described as fair and hard by her students, Joe An was proud of her many successes.
In retirement, Joe An cultivated flowers and landscaped a yard best described as a Better Homes and Garden’s yard. She was as devoted a grandmother as her’s had been to her. Guiding with constant support and understanding, with love tempered by gentle Scandinavian humor, Joe An was seen again at Capital High School as her granddaughters graduated.
For all of this and because we cannot get the time back to see you, Mom you will be missed. Memorials can be made to Capital High School, 100 Valley Dr., Helena, MT 59601. A gathering will be at Retz Funeral Home at 3pm and a reception at 5463 Sahara Court on Friday, September 30. To offer a condolence or share a memory of Joe An, please visit: www.retzfuneralhome.com.
Service Schedule
Service Schedule
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Kevin Kennaugh says
I am very sad about the loss of Ms. Harris. I was lucky enough to be in her Senior English class at CHS way back in 1990. She was truly a teacher that was invested in her students and cared about their success. She pushed her students to their limits because she cared and saw the potential in each one. She really was one of my favorite and influential teachers.
I still remember having to draw a “herd of its” because I used the word “it” too many times in a paper I wrote. I also remember her challenging me to read “Crime and Punishment” which I didn’t want to do, but in the end I appreciated her confidence in me. She was an inspirational teacher and I think of her often now that I am a teacher. My deepest condolences to the family.
Ashley (Lindell) Koch says
I had the priviledge of having Miss Harris as my Freshman English teach along with being her aid during my years at Capital High. I had the upmost respect for her and she was the toughest yet most compassionate teacher I ever had. She pushed me to strive for excellence and for that I remain ever thankful for all that she did for me. She will be greatly missed by many of her students at Capital High. My deepest condolences go out to her family & friends.
Valerie Nelson Jorgenson says
I so sorry for the loss of your mother.
Val
Erik Brown says
Ms. Harris was one of the best teachers and mentors I’ve had. Her tough love approach helped me learn and retain more than I ever thought possible. I will always have fond memories of the two years I spent working with her on the school paper and the many conversations we shared in the years after high school. My deepest sympathy and condolences to the family. You will be missed.
Cassie Gleason Sabo says
Oh where do I start? Joe An was such a good friend of Aunt Jude’s, and that in itself is a testament to her character. Thinking of her often brings a smile to my face, as a high school student who loved english I assumed since I knew Joe An outside of school, this would be my favorite class….WRONG! She was tough as nails, cut me no slack, challenged and engaged me. It often looked as if she had butchered a rabbit atop my essays, what with all the red pen! She will be greatly missed, although I suspect she will miss us far less, what with all the golfing she and Mother Goose can do. Love ya Joe An, and please give my soul sister a hug!!!
Cassie Kae
Teri Street Kellogg says
Mrs. Harris was my favorite teacher, even though she flunked me first semester of my senior year. I guess I should have paid more attention to Shakespeare. Joe An was a wonderful teacher and friend. I never eat a piece of pecan pie without thinking of her. My deepest sympathy to her family.
Karen Crogan says
I first met Joe An and Jude Gleason at Fox Ridge. They were a great pair: they teased, praised, and exhibited true admiration for each other. I last spoke with Joe An in an aisle at Safeway after not seeing her for a long time. You just never know when it will be the last time, so I’m grateful I had the opportunity. Joe An will be missed – say hi to Jude!!
Laurie krueger says
Thank you, Mrs. Harris, for preparing me for college and having faith in me. I’ve thought of you often throughout the years.
Rest in peace,
Laurie Caldwell (1985)
Joe hrella says
JoAnn was truly the sharpest,talented,fun loving people I had the pleasure of knowing. Her dry wit was never ending,nor her love of her former students.I personally owe English to her. I believe we have lost a great soul.
Always remembered never forgotten
With Sympathy, Joe Hrella
Hair Hair Salon and Spa.
Debbie (Littell) Dodge says
I still remember butting heads with Ms. Harris when I attended Capital High School in her journalism class in the 80’s(I say that with much fondness!~ She was tough as nails but I really admired her fiery personality~ She was an extremely intelligent woman who really cared that her students understood English and proper grammar! I’m really sorry to hear of her passing 🙁
Heidi Eschler Danicich says
Ms. Harris was a fantastic English teacher and I was so fortunate to have been one of her Capital High students. She truly had an important influence on my life. Although I am an RN, my current job at Swedish Medical Center involves a great deal of writing which I believe has been influenced by Ms. Harris. I loved that back in the late 1970’s she insisted that we address her as “Ms.”-nobody else at Capital had that requirement! I just loved her-she was a great teacher.
Lisa Klassen says
I had many excellent teachers in my scholastic career, but Mrs. Harris is the one I’ve continued to think of over the years. She made such an impression on me, challenged me, and once even bopped me on the head with a rolled up newspaper. Takk for alt Mrs. Harris. Ga med Gud.