Photo by Charlene Corson Selbee
On Sunday, December 14, all were invited to Harmony’s Cancer Memorial Park to remember those who have lost their battle with cancer and those who are fighting the fight.
The 20-foot spruce tree in the park will shine brightly every evening throughout December in remembrance of those who have lost their lives and to honor those who are battling cancer. The group explains the symbolism of the lights: “The glow of each light symbolizes the caring, thoughtfulness, and love that is shared during the holiday season.”
“The darkest moments of illness can be illuminated by the greatest compassion.” ~King Charles III
The Harmony Area Cancer Support Group was founded by Marietta Dennstedt and Roseanne Barker in 1990. Current President Ann Mraz explained that the group started with eight individuals and quickly grew to 35 couples. Monthly meetings were first held at Greenfield Lutheran Church and later moved to Harmony Place Assisted Living Center. Mraz said the group grew through word of mouth and also included residents from Canton. The pocket park located on Main Street in downtown Harmony was established in 1992 by the Harmony Area Cancer Support Group.
Community members and families impacted by cancer contributed time and resources to establish the Memorial Park. After the closure and demolition of Stan Jandre’s bakery, the donated land became the site for the park, following approval from then-Mayor Marv Wilt and the city council. The mayor and council members all agreed it was a wonderful idea, and the group was given the green light to go ahead with their plans.
Volunteers dedicated significant effort to clearing rocks from the site, landscaping, and planting flowers, bushes and trees to create a sense of place. One of the many donors was Dr. Jerry Shuck and his wife Shirley, who donated shrubbery. Over time, the original trees from Snyder Nursery were replaced with trees from the Treehouse Nursery in LeRoy because the original trees had grown too large. The Dowe and Hegg families donated memorial benches, and the park features a sign listing those who have lost the battle with cancer. Maxine Kingsley donated the spruce tree, which her family decorates and lights every year.
Dennstedt and Barker met with the American Cancer Society in Minneapolis, which suggested lighting a Christmas tree each year to raise funds and raise awareness of cancer, and to remember those who lost the battle with cancer and those who are fighting it. The organizers embraced the idea and incorporated it into an annual fundraiser. In the past, the group also held barbecues, Christmas concerts, and even an antique roadshow to raise funds.
The Harmony Area Cancer Support Group’s annual fundraising campaign, Love Lights a Tree, kicks off in November. For $5 per name or $10 for three names, donors can have the names of loved ones, friends, or colleagues honored in the Fillmore County Journal.
Funds raised through Love Lights a Tree are shared with area residents who are undergoing radiation or chemotherapy. Recipients can use the funds as needed for meals, lodging, transportation, or other expenses. The group also sends flowers to area members on their birthdays and to the funerals of those who have passed from cancer.
“I sent out a check this morning as someone has just started chemo,” Mraz said.
The support group has been beneficial to its members, with many attending every meeting. According to the National Cancer Institute, “Research shows that joining a support group improves both quality of life and survival.”
The Cancer Memorial Park continues to serve as a visible reminder that no one faces cancer alone. Through shared remembrance, volunteer dedication, and continued generosity, the Harmony Area Cancer Support Group has created a lasting legacy of compassion that reaches far beyond the holiday season and into everyday lives.
Those wishing to donate to the Harmony Area Cancer Support group may contact Ann Mraz at 612-419-3483 or email Ann at annielou.harmony@gmail.com.
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