Rusty Henry Harris, 70, of Amherst, WI passed peacefully in the comfort of his own home surrounded by members of his family on October 4, 2018.
He was born April 2, 1948 to Russell and Ruth (Dunaway) Harris in Beloit, WI. He graduated from Colby High School in 1966 and enlisted with the United States Marine Corp. He was sent to Vietnam where he received a Purple Heart for his service and was honorably discharged in 1970 with the rank of Lance Corporal. He returned to Dorchester, WI and was an apprentice meat cutter. He worked at several area meat processing plants over the years and later in his career became a Wisconsin State Meat Inspector. After several years of state service, he left his employment and drove an 18 wheeler until he retired in 2001. He loved the outdoors and enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping with his family. He enjoyed raising chickens, other varieties of poultry, pigeons, and rabbits. He was a sports fan and loved the Brewers and Packers. He was a member of the US Jaycees where he received the Recruiter of the Year Award. He was active with the 4-H Association and judged poultry and small animals at many local fairs throughout Wisconsin. He also showed animals at local fairs and in 1992, he and his son Jon entered pigeons in the Wisconsin State Fair and won State Grand Champion.
He will be remembered most as a loving father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, and husband. He is survived by his wife of 21 years, Linda. His spirit will live on through his four daughters and son: Heather(Tairu) Harris-Fatty, Heidi (Kurt) Fischer, Erin Harris, Danielle Harris, and Jon (Kealy Barsema) Harris; grandchildren, Garrett Kohl, Amelia and Madeline Fischer, and Eva and Silas Harris. He is also survived by his mother Ruth and his brothers, Jim, Robert, and Jack; sisters, Peggy and Jane and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father Russell and brother-in-law Glen Goeltz.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 10, 2018 from 4-7 p.m. at Jungers-Holly Funeral Home in Amherst, WI where the funeral will also be held Thursday, October 11, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. Funeral services will be followed by a Military Burial Ceremony at the Wisconsin Veterans Home in King,WI with a luncheon to follow. In lieu of flowers, we encourage donations to your local veterans organizations. A special thank you to the staff at Thedacare of Waupaca, Bethany Home of Waupaca, and the wonderful RNs and CNAs of his in home hospice care group. Jungers-Holly Funeral Home in Amherst is assisting the family with arrangements.
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change and the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.