Harriet G Harris

Harriet G. Harris, a brilliant educator, legendary baker, and world-traveling adventurer, passed away peacefully on June 14, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. Known to many as the “Cake Lady” and to her fishing companions as “Halibut Harriet,” she leaves behind a legacy of immense generosity, culinary mastery, and a life beautifully lived alongside her family and friends.

Harriet was born on January 23, 1945, in Wichita, Kansas, to Chet and Corrine Christensen, and was raised on a farm east of Mt. Hope, Kansas. The oldest of five children, Harriet showed early signs of the dedication that would define her life, graduating from Mt. Hope High School as the Valedictorian of her class.

She continued her education at Kansas State University, graduating Summa Cum Laude in 1967 with a degree in education. She later attended Wichita State University, where she obtained her master’s degree and Reading Specialist Degree, once again graduating Summa Cum Laude. Harriet went on to shape the lives of thousands of students, teaching for 35 years in the Haysville School District (USD 261).

While teaching, Harriet launched a spectacular baking career. Specializing in wedding, birthday, and occasional cakes and cookies, she earned the affectionate title of the “Cake Lady.” She baked wedding cakes for countless couples and eventually for their children. Upon retiring from education, Harriet custom-designed a new home with a fully isolated baking kitchen, allowing her to stay as busy as she desired. Her greatest joy was seeing the expressions on children's faces when they picked up their birthday cakes.

Harriet’s homes were explicitly designed with an open concept to accommodate large gatherings. She loved entertaining, hosting everything from the Haysville Retired Teachers luncheons and neighborhood parties to massive family events.

When she and her husband, Joe, purchased a farm, they built a timber-frame home designed for hosting. For many years, generations of families gathered there the day before Thanksgiving to prepare the feast and spend the night together. True to Harriet’s giving nature, Thanksgiving concluded with the preparation of gift baskets for the Caldwell Food Bank's Christmas event. The very next day, the family gathered at her Wichita residence for the traditional "Cookie Day." For over 40 years, family members of all ages gathered to bake and decorate over 20 varieties of Christmas cookies, yielding upwards of 1,200 treats to be shared.

Harriet and Joe shared 59 beautiful years of marriage—proudly claiming they "never had a bad day." Together, they traveled the world, exploring Europe, including Scotland and England, with river cruises as her favorite mode of slow-paced, relaxing travel.

While her sisters often worried about her "roughing it" on fishing trips across the globe, Harriet was secretly living in luxury. While Joe fished in Scotland and England, Harriet enjoyed private tour guides, personal butlers, fine dining, and first-class flights.

Her absolute favorite adventure was her annual trip to Ketchikan, Alaska, which she attended for 26 consecutive years. Far from freezing on the water, Harriet experienced Alaska via a private charter boat complete with a captain and a private chef. She and Joe generously ensured that as many family members as possible could join them on these Alaskan trips. On the water, Harriet became a legend, earning the nickname “Halibut Harriet” for her uncanny ability to always land the very first and most impressive fish.

Harriet’s vibrant spirit, sharp mind, and generous heart will be deeply missed but never forgotten.

She is survived by her devoted husband of 59 years, Joe Harris; her son, Jason (Lisa) Harris; and her daughter, Steph Hills. She was the proud grandmother of six grandchildren: Hannah (Grant) Latimer, Lauren Hills, Joseph Harris, Hunter (Claire Sanburn) Harris, Quade Harris, and Zoe Harris. Her siblings also survive her: Connie (Shell) Boudreaux, Vickie (Wes) Koontz, Renetta (Pat) Baxter, and Roger (Mary) Christensen, as well as many, many dear friends.

Instead of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Ridgepoint Church. Contributions will be placed in a private fund and distributed to various charitable organizations in the near future to honor Harriet's lifelong spirit of giving.

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