Harriet Jane Sowards, 98, of Rapid City, passed away quietly in her sleep on Sunday, June 1st, 2014 at the Prairie Hills Golden Living Center.Harriet was born in Walthill, Nebraska on January 10, 1916 to Arthur and Mary Leach. She attended Rapid City Central high school for two years before moving to Long Beach, California where she graduated from JC Fremont High School in 1933 and was honored with a membership in the California Scholarship Federation. She went on to study math and education at Long Beach Community College where she graduated in 1936. She then attended Business College for another year in Long Beach.She married C. Ed Sowards in April 1939 and returned to South Dakota with him where they remained as long-time residents in the Rapid City area. Harriet maintained a passion for teaching and working with young students during her teaching career in several rural schools in Pennington and Meade counties and in the Rapid City School system.She was an active member of the Board and the Ladies Circle in the First Baptist Church of Rapid City. She enjoyed reading, spending time with her family, writing the church newsletter, and helping others. She also enjoyed traveling in her retirement to Jerusalem, Indonesia and Canada.Harriet is preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Mary; her husband Edward; and, three sisters Lucille, Lorraine and Mary Ann.Harriet is survived by sons Bryce Sowards and Dean Sowards of Rapid City and Wayne Sowards of Clark, Colorado; nine grandchildren; twelve great grandchildren; and, four great great grandchildren.Condolences may be left in Harriet’s online guestbook at www.behrenswilson.com.The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the Prairie Hills Golden Living Center for their care and support in her final days.She aspired to greatness through others.