Nancy D. Harles, 77, St. Cloud

February 1, 1939 - March 2, 2016

Memorial services celebrating the life of Nancy D. Harles, 77, of St. Cloud will be held at 12 Noon on Tuesday, March 8, 2016 at the Daniel Funeral Home Chapel in St. Cloud. Nancy passed away on Wednesday, March 2, 2016 at St. Benedict’s Senior Center in St. Cloud. Reverend Gregory Lieser will officiate.

Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home.
Nancy was born on February 1, 1939 in White River, Ontario, Canada to Leo and Margaret (Padgena) Tookenay. The family moved to Schreiber, Ontario in 1945 and Nancy attended Holy Angels Separate School and Schreiber High School. Nancy moved to Cass Lake, MN where she earned her diploma to be a Medical Technician. She then began working at Sisseton Hospital in Sisseton, South Dakota. While in Sisseton she met Harley Harles in 1960. She then worked in Rosebud, SD for the Indian Health Services. On October 20, 1962 she and Harley where married in Schreiber, Ontario. They moved to Harley’s family farm in Lidgerwood, North Dakota and Nancy began working at St. Gerard’s Community Hospital. She also worked for several physicians in the area. Nancy returned to school and obtained her AA Degree in Counseling from Sisseton Wahpeton Tribal Community College. After raising her children, she then continued her education; obtaining her Bachelor of Science in Human Services from Moorhead State University, 1986; Master’s Degree in Education Administration in 1988; and PhD in Education/Vocational Education Administration in 1995. Shortly after, Nancy moved to St. Cloud and began working at St. Cloud State University (1995-2000). She then was employed as a consultant to the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe in Onamia for one year. In 2001, Nancy became Executive Director of the St. Cloud Area American Indian Center. Nancy’s last job was as an instructor with Onamia Public Schools where she retired from in 2013. Nancy had a passion for helping all and was a strong advocate of further education of the Native American Culture and people.

Nancy loved collecting antiques, going to auction sales, sewing, and traveling (especially her trip to China).

Nancy is survived by her husband, Harley; children, Randolph of Westfield, New Jersey, Jay (Rachel) of Somerset, Wisconsin, Sanford of St. Cloud; brothers, Dr. Vincent (Rosemary) Tookenay of Petrolia, Ontario, and Marcel Tookenay of Thunder Bay, Ontario; and many nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Melvyn and Joseph Tookenay; and sister, Ethel Ahola.

Memorials are preferred.

A special thank you to St. Croix Hospice and St. Benedict’s Senior Community Center.