Harris Wemark, 74

 

Oct. 1, 1943 —
June 25, 2018
 
Ridgeway - Harris Duane Wemark, age 74 of Ridgeway, Iowa, died peacefully on Monday, June 25, 2018 at his home after a courageous battle with cancer.  
A funeral service was held on June 29, 2018 at Peace Lutheran Church in Ridgeway with Pastor Jeff Hansen presiding. Military rites were provided by Decorah and Cresco military groups. Interment was in Lincoln Lutheran Cemetery at Ridgeway.
Harris Duane Wemark was born on Oct. 1, 1943, the son of Leonard and Helen (Magnus) Wemark in Decorah, Iowa. He attended school in Ridgeway and graduated from Crestwood High School in Cresco, Iowa in 1961. After graduating, he worked on the family farm until he was drafted by the United States Army in 1965, serving until 1967. He was stationed in Germany. He returned home to help his parents on the farm and also worked for Ridgeway Cheese and Butter.  
Harris and Mary were married on Nov. 2, 1973 at Peace Lutheran Church in Ridgeway. Together they raised their four children, Rick, Eric, Chrishelle and Nick, on the family farm. Harris continued to be actively engaged in farming until Jan. 1, 2018, when his health was declining. He still tried to make daily trips to the farm or called Eric and Nick several times a day to check in to see how things were going and to give some advice.  
Harris enjoyed attending all the activities of his grandchildren, including sports, music concerts and 4-H. During the last year, he went to a Twins game in Milwaukee, Minnesota Vikings game and an ISU basketball game with some of his family. He loved all sports and enjoyed playing as much as watching.  He also loved playing cards with Mary and their card club friends for the past 44 years. 
Harris was an active member of Peace Lutheran Church, where he had served on the church council and was currently the secretary for the Lincoln Cemetery Assn. He previously served on the Board of Directors for the Winneshiek Co-op.
Harris is survived by his wife, Mary J. Wemark of Ridgeway; children, Rick (Shelly Kruse) Wemark of New Hampton, Iowa, Eric (Darcy) Wemark of Ridgeway, Chrishelle (Joel Stravers) of Ridgeway and Nick (Katie) Wemark of Fort Atkinson, Iowa; grandchildren, Zachary, Alexa and Drake Wemark, Carson, Addison, Bryson and Emerson Wemark, Ethan and Haylee Stravers and Aidan, Austin and Abe Wemark; a brother, Howard (Mary T.) Wemark of Ridgeway; brothers-in-law, Ron (Joan) Rude and Don Rude, both of Decorah, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews whom he dearly loved. 
Harris was preceded in death by his parents, Leonard and Helen (Magnus) Wemark; his sister, Marilyn Wemark; an infant grandson, Jack Wemark; and father and mother-in-law, Roger and Gladys (Brandt) Rude.

Cresco Times

Phone: 563-547-3601
Fax: 563-547-4602

Address:
Cresco TPD
214 N. Elm Street
Cresco, IA 52136

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