Harold Harris

Harold “Hank” Harris age 90, passed away October 27, 2018 at Neighbors of Dunn County in Menomonie under the care of MCHS Home Health and Hospice.
Hank was born October 31, 1927 the son of Henry and Hazel (Wilbur) Harris. He was a lifetime member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Altoona, having been confirmed there in 1941. Hank graduated from Altoona High School in 1945. Shortly thereafter he enlisted in the United States Navy. Hank served with pride, doing exploration and research on the continent of Antarctica, with the well-known explorer, the late Admiral Richard E. Byrd. As a radar operator his duties included testing “air search radar” and guiding the flights of aircraft as they marked the continent of Antarctica.
Hank lived on Antarctica in a canvas tent with temperatures as low as 65 degrees below zero Fahrenheit. He was one of the last 100 men to be evacuated from “Little America” Antarctica March 4, 1947 aboard the newly commissioned Icebreaker the USS Burton Island.
Hank married Arleen Schultz, November 4, 1949. Together they raised two sons, James and Danny Harris and a daughter Connie. Hank and Arleen were divorced in 1971. Hank worked for Equity Co-op Livestock Sales Association for 39 years. He managed the Equity Altoona Auction Market for many of those years. After a tragic fire destroyed the Altoona Market in 1971 he designed and supervised the construction of the new Equity Market located on Highway 53 south of Eau Claire. Under his guidance the market grew to become the largest livestock business in Wisconsin. He worked at the Equity Central office at Baraboo for five years in charge of the Public Relations Program. In that capacity he planned the programs for 110 member association annual meetings and was guest speaker at most of them. His area of service included the entire state of Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
Hank was elected to the Altoona Board of Education where he served for 11 years. He raised the first $25,000 in donations to build the Fuzzy Thurston Football field. Hank was appointed to the Eau Claire County Planning Committee. He was an active member of the Chamber of Commerce serving the Rural Relations Committee, the American Legion, the National Rifle Association, and the Old Antarctic Explorers Association.
Harold “Hank” Harris and Juanita Rose Sommerfeldt were united in marriage April 11, 1974. Hank retired in 1989 and they moved back to Altoona. Hank and Nita enjoyed 39 wonderful years together fishing, camping, canoeing and traveling. They enjoyed staying at their trailer at Island Lake.
Hank looked forward to the annual deer hunting, with his family at Jim and Mary’s farm in Mondovi. In recent years Hank enjoyed dating his dear friend Terry Scott.
Hank is preceded in death by his lovely wife Juanita Rose Harris, his parents Henry and Hazel Harris, his brother Kenneth Harris, sisters: Fern Harris, Joyce Harris-Ziegeweid, granddaughter Stacy Harris, and brother in-law Charles Ziegeweid.
He is survived by his three children: James (Mary) Harris, Altoona, Danny (Shirley) Harris, Hayward, and Connie (Richard) Madsen, West Pueblo, CO; step-sons Bradley (Janet) Smith, Eau Claire, Kevin Smith of Stoughton; sister in-law Marjorie Harris Altoona; grandchildren: Joe (Sara) Harris, Josh (Silver) Lane, Dan (Tamala) Lane, Danny Harris, Jr., Chad Harris, and Dannette (Harris) Smith.
He leaves behind several great-grandchildren, many step-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held on Friday November 2, 2018 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 2245 Hayden Ave Altoona, WI. A visitation and celebration of life will begin at 10:00 AM.
Funeral Services at 11:00 AM with Pastor Mark Schulz officiating; a noon luncheon will be served following the services. Graveside services will be at 2:00 PM at the Mentor Cemetery located on State Highway 12 four miles east of Fairchild, Wisconsin.
Stokes, Prock, and Mundt is serving the family.
In Lieu of flowers memorials may be given to the Bethlehem Lutheran Church