Harpal (Kaur) Dhawan, “Pali” of Prescott, Wis., passed away peacefully at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, Minn. on May 4, 2022.
Harpal was born on May 5, 1932, in Chiniot (formerly India) Pakistan to Dr. Narain Singh and Parkash Kaur Singh. She attended Miranda House University in New Delhi, India, where she graduated in 1953 with a degree in English, philosophy, economics, and language. She also received a teaching diploma to train ESL teachers. In 1956, she was united in marriage to Dr. Narendra Lal Dhawan.
After her marriage, she and Narendra made their home at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (aka Pusa Institute) where Narendra was a professor and agronomist, developing improved corn breeds for farmers in third-world countries. Together, they traveled around the world with their children.
In 1968, she and Narendra moved to Cairo, Egypt, and later Mexico City, where she taught English. Harpal was an accomplished linguist, teacher, and gardener, regularly winning awards for her .ower arrangements, particularly roses. Her arrangements were published in a book called The Rose in India. Harpal was also an accomplished musician, singing and playing classical Indian and ghazal songs, both in India, and as a cultural ambassador in Mexico. She used to perform at the Gaiety Theatre for the state governor in Simla (India) before marriage. She enjoyed performing with other musicians, including her son-inlaw, who is a professional singer and musician.
In 1997 Harpal and Narendra immigrated to the United States to be with their three children. They made their home in Prescott, Wis., and enjoyed a new, small-town Midwestern life. Harpal embarked on a career working at Walmart in Hastings, Minn., The Harbor Christian School and Daycare, and Hearts Hands and Mind Daycare in Prescott. She worked at Walmart for 22 years, until health problems forced her to retire at the age of 90. Harpal and Narendra enjoyed a long and beautiful marriage of 46 years, until his passing in 2002.
The most spiritually impacting event in her life was when she received Jesus Christ as her Savior and Lord in 1997. Harpal would have been 90 on May 5, 2022. She is survived by her three children Sanjeev (Barbara) Dhawan of Ellsworth, Wis., Sumant Dhawan of Prescott, Wis., and daughter Sunita (Quincy) Chettupally of Chicago; and six grandchildren, Evangeline Dhawan, Minneapolis, Sanjeev Jr. Dhawan, Prescott, Victoria Dhawan, Ellsworth, Tryphena Chettupally, Tabitha Chettupally and Linus Chettupally, Chicago, Illinois. She is also survived by her sister Sunita “Rani” Chhachhi, New Delhi, India, as well as many nieces and nephews, both in India and the United States. She is preceded in death by her parents, eight siblings, and her husband.
A funeral service for family and friends to remember Harpal was held at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home in Prescott on Friday, May 6 from 12:30-2 p.m., followed by a time of prayers. Harpal will then be laid to rest at the Pine Glen Cemetery, next to her husband. Memorial and burial services are entrusted to the O’Connell Family Funeral Home of Prescott.
