Harriet (Verduin) Morgenthaler Cain passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 18, 2024, in Bellingham. She was born on May 26, 1930, in Lynden, the daughter of Abe and Hattie (Duim) Verduin.
Harriet was preceded in death by her husbands, Wilfred Morgenthaler and Ben Cain, her parents, and siblings Johanna Lagerwey, Garrett Verduin, Jadelle Moyer, and Abraham Verduin. She is survived by her sister Wilma (Dale) French; children Richard Morgenthaler; Wanda Cucinotta (Bob); Robert Morgenthaler (Marlene Pierce); Susan Sebastian (all of Whatcom County, WA) and her special adopted family Bruce and Peggy Sherman of Idaho; along with numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, friends, and family.
Harriet grew up in Lynden and after graduating from Lynden High School she married Wilfred Morgenthaler. Harriet worked at the college library while Wilfred completed his studies at WSU. After college, Wilfred enrolled in the U.S. Air Force as a Captain. They were based at McChord Air Force Base in Tacoma, but also stationed in Montana, South Dakota, Maine, and two three-year tours in Misawa, Japan. Wilfred was deployed twice to Korea and once to Vietnam, during which Harriet raised their four children alone. While in Japan, Harriet was actively involved with her church, off-base missions, and the Air Force wives’ volunteer services, dedicating many hours to those in need.
Harriet loved children and was always a child at heart. She enjoyed arts, crafts and handmade projects, especially with children. She was a den leader for Cub Scouts, Brownies, Boy Scouts, and Girl Scouts. Harriet also taught Vacation Bible School, served as an AWANA leader and was involved with Child Evangelism Fellowship and JungleMaster Ministries for many years.
Harriet had a pioneering spirit, fostered by her time in 4-H as a child. She had a passion for flower arranging, gardening, gleaning, canning, baking, clam digging, mushrooming, and a special love for her Lord Jesus, her family, animals and nature. After taking a cake decorating class in 1967, she spent years creating beautiful cakes, including professional wedding cakes and numerous cakes for birthdays and other occasions and also taught cake decorating classes.
In 1975, after Wilfred retired from the Air Force, they moved from Tacoma to Bellingham, where they lived near Lake Whatcom. Harriet enjoyed Easter egg hunts, swimming, boating, camping, fishing, hunting, square dancing, snow-birding, and traveling with Wilfred until his death in 1999.
In 2000, Harriet traveled to Peru with a youth group from JungleMaster Ministries to visit remote missionary villages in the Amazon jungle and later went to the UK as a chaperone for a church youth group.
In 2001, Harriet married Ben Cain. Both widowed and old friends, they shared many adventures together always demonstrating their Christian faith. They enjoyed shrimping, crabbing, whale watching, volunteering, entertaining, and spending time with family and friends. Due to declining health, Ben and Harriet moved to Lynden Manor in 2017. After Ben’s death in 2018, Harriet moved to Cordata Court (Bellingham) until her passing. Harriet was loved by all and will be missed by many.
A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, June 8, 2024, at 3 p.m. at Northlake Community Church, 1471 McLeod Road, Bellingham.
