Emma Harriet Warren's Obituary
Emma Harriet (Bontrager) Warren, born on July 4, 1945, in Elkhart, Indiana died peacefully surrounded by her family in Lakeland, Florida on August 22, 2025. She was the daughter of Melvin and Olive (Troyer) Bontrager. She was the Valedictorian of the 1963 Middlebury High School class and graduated from Bluffton College in 1967 with degrees in English and Home Economics Education. Following a two-year stint at Standish Jr/Sr High School, she attended Western Michigan University, graduating in 1970 with a master’s degree in guidance counseling. At WMU she met the love of her life, Ken Warren. They were married on June 26, 1971, at Shore Mennonite Church in Shipshewana, Indiana.
Harriet lived the majority of her life in LaGrange County (IN): as a child growing up in Shipshewana and raising her two children, Joe and Jennifer, in LaGrange. While small in stature, she was large in the things that mattered: love, generosity, friendship, and faith. While raising her children, she was an extensive volunteer for numerous organizations. She was chairperson of the LaGrange County Extension Board, a 20-year 4-H club director (serving a two-year term on the 4-H State Advisory Committee), Lagrange County Library Board President, Girl Scout Northern Indiana Michiana chairperson and President of the local College Club. In LaGrange, she was a member of the First United Methodist Church where she sang in the choir, played handbells, played piano and was an active local, state and national member of the United Methodist Women. Harriet also substitute taught regularly in the Lakeland (IN) School district. She was recognized for her contributions in 2000 by Purdue University as a Friend of Extension and in 2001 by LaGrange County as Citizen of the Year.
In 2007, Harriet and Ken retired to Lakeland, Florida where they joined the First United Methodist Church of Lakeland. Harriet continued to volunteer and participated in choir, theater productions, and United Women in Faith.
Harriet cherished family and friendships nurturing individual relationships with each person., She always made those around her feel comfortable and loved. Hosting many family holiday meals, she was an excellent cook and baker -- sharing a wide variety of Christmastime treats each year. She loved spending time with her family in Indiana, Florida, New York, and New Jersey. Her grandchildren were one of her greatest joys as she travelled with them to Italy, Costa Rica, and Curacao; bike riding on Hawpatch Trail; and teaching them that ice cream once a day is good for you.
Harriet is survived by her loving husband of 54 years, Ken; son, Joe Warren; daughter (and son-in-law), Jennifer Warren Quirk (Brian); grandchildren Braden and Cameron Quirk; brother Joseph D. Bontrager (Gail); beloved cousin Barb Frymier (Brook); and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her mother and father; brother David Weaver; nephews Kirk Weaver, Eric Weaver, James Warren; and niece Rhonda Weaver. She will be dearly missed by all.
A memorial service will be held at the First United Methodist Church of Lakeland on Monday, October 13. Internment will be at Florida National Cemetery at Bushnell. Donations may be made in Harriet’s honor to: Bluffton College, Girl Scouts of Northern Indiana Michiana, or FUMC of Lakeland Organ Restoration Fund.
Those unable to attend may watch the livestream of the memorial service at https://www.firstumc.org/funerals/
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