and she met Telford Dindinger ("Ding"), who would later become her husband. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology in January of 1946. She briefly taught at Syracuse, Kansas, and then taught three years at Frankfort, Kansas. Harriet and Ding married on January 26, 1952, in Salina, Kansas, and they enjoyed nearly 60 years of marriage. They lived in Kansas City for a time, where Harriet worked as a legal secretary and as a secretary at Country Club Christian Church in Kansas City. They later lived in Salina and then in 1957, they moved to Dubuque, Iowa, where Ding entered seminary. They lived in several small towns in northeast Iowa as Ding served as a minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA). They moved to Muscatine in 1967 and lived here for the remainder of their lives. Harriet raised their five children and then returned to teaching as a substitute teacher in the Muscatine Schools for a time. Harriet was a musician; she played the piano and violin, and she had a lovely singing voice. She passed her love of music on to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and she continued to enjoy music her whole life. While in Muscatine, she played violin with the Muscatine Symphony Orchestra and for several musical events. Harriet and Ding spent many happy hours with their grandchildren, making playtime as creative as they could. The grandchildren remember making cardboard robots, going on picnics, and exploring and enjoying nature at Weed Park and Oak Park. She and Ding enjoyed relaxing with coffee at the Mississippi riverfront; they traveled to visit grown children; and they followed University of Iowa sports. Harriet corresponded with college friends for many years (via "round robin" letters), and she remembered others with notes and birthday cards until her death. In August of 2011, Harriet and Ding moved into Lutheran Living, and Harriet remained there after Ding's death in December of 2011. She was lovingly cared for by many health care professionals there, as well as by family. She continued to find joy in time spent with her family, and she welcomed her ninth great-grandchild, Zoey, in September, 2016. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Muscatine. Harriet is survived by one son, John T. Dindinger (Tracy Connolly) of Muscatine; four daughters, Amy Dindinger of North Branch, Minnesota, Judy Dindinger of Muscatine, Susan Dindinger of Lawrence, Kansas, and Meg Dindinger of Cedar Rapids; three grandsons, Drew (Alissa) Burkamper of Muscatine, Vaughn (Megan) Burkamper of Atwater, California , Thad (Rachel) Burkamper of Muscatine; a granddaughter, Lindsey Dindinger (Zach Brewer) of Muscatine; nine great-grandchildren, Lucas, Ciara, Bella, Zane, Kael, Hayden, Wesley, and Connor Burkamper, and Zoey Brewer; nephews and nieces Rick (Bobbi) Baughman, Tim (Jana) Baughman, Todd (Susan) Baughman, Mary Jo (Neal) Roch, Carol (Bruce) Butler, and their families, and nieces Ann Fox (Bob) Morris and Jane Fox (Don) Birnie and their families. Harriet was preceded in death by her husband, Telford H. Dindinger, her parents, and her sister, Eloise Baughman.
Ralph J Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home
Muscatine, IA 52761
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