Harriet Elsie (Schuelke) Schulz was born on August 16, 1927, to William August Ernest Schuelke and Ida Ottilie (Krueger) Schuelke in Leaf Valley, MN. Harriet grew up on a farm and her family remembers her telling stories about chasing cows out of the lake. She attended Country School of District 23 in Leaf Valley and later graduated from Central High School in 1946. Harriet then attended St. Cloud Beauty School, St. Cloud, MN and graduated in 1947.