| Location | Menasha |
| Age | 69 years |
| Cause of Death | Other Disease |
| Date of Birth | 11/1937 |
| Date of Death | 5/2007 |
| Visitors | 1,504 since 06/09/2007 |
| Creator |
His name was Lawrence Harris. Most knew him as Larry. He was my Father. He passed away on May 10, 2007 at the age of 69. He died at home. Dad always wanted to die at home... not stuck in some hospital room. He graduated from Stambaugh High School - Stambaugh Township, Iron River, MI - in 1956. He worked at JJ Newberry Store, A Dry Cleaning service, and later at a Red Owl store, all located in Iron River, MI. He was a member of the Wisconsin Jaycees where he held the offices of Secretary, Treasurer, Vice President, and President during his years with that organization. He was also involved with the Snowmobile Derby and Food Basket Fundraising programs. Dad attended the Fox Valley Seventh-Day Adventist Church where they have a food basket program. He always Loved handing out food baskets to anyone in need through that program. He also enjoyed getting involved in extra curricular activities such as hunting and fishing.
He enlisted in the United States Army National Guard from 1960 - 1968 where he (mostly as a cook) faithfully and proudly served his country. He, later, worked with the paper industry for 27 1/2 years, at a place called Akrosil, starting in May, 1973 and retiring in November, 2000. Many people who worked there called it Akroland... seemed to be their favorite name for it. My Dad was born and raised in Stambaugh Township (Iron River), Michigan, but moved to Wisconsin in 1971, where he spent 35 wonderful years being married to my Mom, Kathy Harris. They would have been married 36 years as of November 6, 2007.
Larry is survived by his wife: Kathy - Menasha, WI, three daughters: Theresa (Myron) Dillard - Appleton, WI, Laurie Montalvo - Appleton,WI, and Karen Harris (Fiance, Brett Griffin) - Washington State (Formerly from Wisconsin), Four beautiful grandchildren: Brandon Harris-Wulterkens, Jade Montalvo, Madelyn Montalvo, & Arionna Montalvo. His Sister, Elaine Schmidt (who died in July, 2007... just 8 weeks after Dad died)- Two Rivers, WI., and his brother, Charles Harris - Green Bay, WI. He is further survived by his special Mother-In-Law: Dorothy - Menasha, WI, Sisters-In-Law: Judy (Jay) Janis - Appleton, WI and Barb (Jack) Dirr - Delaware. Brothers-In-Law: Thomas (Sheila) Wianecki - Mesa, AZ, and John (Jan) Wianecki - Menasha, WI. And many other Aunts, Uncles, Neices, Nephews, and Cousins.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents: Clement (in 1966) and Viola (Marcell) Harris - Iron River, MI (in 1986), his sister: Theresa - as an infant (before 1937) - Iron River, MI, his Brother-In-Law, Clem Schmidt - Two Rivers, WI, & five infant grandchildren.
Larry suffered with many different illnesses over a period of many years... but the one that finally claimed his life was C.O.P.D. (or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)... a very progressive lung disease that, currently, has no cure.
Being his family... we will always remember Larry for the way he cherished his wife, kids, and grand kids. And everyone else around him. Always worked hard for what he was able to provide for us. He never stole from other people to get what he wanted or needed. And he Loved his wife so much. He was never abusive and he always bought her gifts even if it was just because. I will always remember Dad for his strength. No matter how depressed or frustrated he got with things... he never took his own life. He taught us that suicide is the cheater's way out. We Love You, Dad. Rest In Peace !
The Package
Hi, Dad !
I wanted you to know that Mom sent another package a couple months ago (March 2010). She sent me your jacket that you had gotten from where you worked for 27 1/2 years. I always liked that jacket... it looked good on you. But I still couldn't bring myself to wash it yet. The scent of your aftershave was still on it when I got it. I do need to wash it now tho. It could certainly use it now.
I miss you, Dad. I have dreams with you in them. I guess it makes me feel like you never left. I think that is what keeps families close after a Loved one dies. The memories I will always cherish.
I hope you are resting peacefully now. I miss you and I will always Love you.
Dear Dad
I Look Around This Place
But You're Not Here
All I Feel Is Your Presence...
Your Spirit... A Certain Type
Of 'Air'
That's How I Know That You
Are Still With Me
Still Watching Over Me And
Making Sure I'm Alright
You Give Me Strength On Those
Difficult Days
You Are My Sunshine When The
Clouds Are Grey
You Are My Rainbow That Breaks
Thru The Rain
Each Color In The Arch Representing
A Promise, To Me, That You Had
Made
Red Is The Symbol Of A Father's
Love
Orange To Symbolize A Father's
Trust
Yellow Is The Color Of Constant
Strength
Green Would Mean That You Would
Always Keep Me Safe
Blue Is Symbolic Because It Was Your
Promise To Allow Me To Feel
When You Left This World... You Told Me
To Grieve... Then Heal
Indigo Is Special Because It
Symbolizes Wisdom
I will Always Remember Each Important
Lesson
Finally, There's Violet To Remind Me
Of Time
The Time You Had With Your Family
Before You Had To Say Goodbye
So, As You can See... I Was Listening
Afterall
And I Know You'll Be Here To Pick
Me Up
If Ever I Should Stumble And Fall
It's Still Very Difficult To Know
That You're Gone
But In My Heart Is A Special Place
Where Your Legacy Will Live On
By: Karen Harris
Age: 29
08/05/2008
Fathers Day
Hi, Dad !
I hope that you had a good Father's Day wherever you are. My work gave me off on Father's Day. They knew it would be hard for me if I had to work that day. I've been at this job for a little over six months now. That's really good for me.
Brett and I went to the Museum Of Flight in Seattle, WA that day. It was so much fun. I got to work on my fear of airplanes... and try a little more to overcome that fear. I stood next to so many BIG planes (747s, 737s, 707, and many others) and Brett and I even went up inside the Air Force 1 plane. That's the plane that all of our presidents (past & present) fly around in when they go somewhere.
We weren't allowed to sit on or touch anything. But we were allowed to take pictures while viewing the inside of the plane. It was great. I feel very proud of myself for being able to do that. Brett was proud of me too. We took lots of pictures while we were at the museum... as we usually do. I just wish I could show them to you.
So Brett and I had a wonderful day on Father's Day. It helped to take my mind off of the fact that it was Father's Day. I did think about you tho. I know you would have liked to see what we saw that day. You would have had a great time at that museum as well. There is lots to see there and I am fortunate enough to have been able to see everything there. I also feel fortunate to live in this beautiful state of Washington. All of this wouldn't have been possible if it weren't for Brett.
Brett has done so much for me in the past five years that he and I have been together. I just wish you could have seen that. He has helped me in ways that nobody else was able to. He's such a good person. I can't wait to be his wife. I know that he and I will have a good marriage. I Love him so much, Dad. And I know you will be with us in spirit on our wedding day.
My support group is going well. I am learning a lot. There are still days when I go there and all I do is cry because you are gone. But I am getting better. I am also doing things that I know you would want me to do. I've been taking care of myself more because I know that's what you would have wanted me to do. You were always concerned about everyone's health but your own. But I guess that's what parents are like, right ? So I guess children really do turn into their parents as they grow up.
I keep wanting to call Mom and ask her how you are doing. When I tell her that... she always responds with 'he's doing better than all of us'. I know that's true. But it's hard because I can't talk to you on the phone anymore.
Even tho you and I had our hard times... I do feel good about telling you, every phone conversation, that I Loved you. That is something that should be said to everyone that we all Love and care about... REGARDLESS !! So I can always feel good about that. Because I DID Love you, Dad. I need you to know that.
I miss you, too, Dad. I wish things could have been different between us. But I know we can't go back and change that anymore. Because you are not here and I can't turn back time. Wouldn't it be something if we could ? I can just imagine how many things I could change. But I know that's not possible. There is no time machine that makes that possible.
It just wouldn't be right if I put a tribute in here about Father's Day and didn't put any memories that I have of you. I do have other memories. Not only do I remember all your special "recipes" (peanut butter & butter sandwiches, graham crackers in milk, cheese and cracker sandwiches, graham cracker sandwiches with peanut butter & butter or peanut butter & jelly... etc) which we all Love and enjoy (or... most of us)... I also remember other things like how you always wanted me to take your picture while you had one of Laurie's kids on your lap... or how I always took pictures of you while you were asleep in the chair... or how you always told us to lock our doors and windows at night... even after we were all moved out. And how you could always lose me while I was in the store with you and Mom even tho I was standing right behind you... or beside you... because I was so small. I guess short people are easy to lose even when they aren't far away. That happened many times.
I remember going with you, many times, to pick Mom up from work in the afternoon, or at night. You always bought me yummy snacks and a soda. And I will always remember how, when I brought chinese food home from the chinese restaurant, you always wanted a taste of whatever I chose to get from there. And then you would tell me you didn't like whatever it was. But then, next time I brought home chinese food, you always asked to have another taste.
And, growing up, you always were stealing food from our plates even tho you said you were full and had enough to eat. You always did that no matter what we were eating. If you saw something, on our plates, that you liked... you would take it. I guess I picked up that trait from you because I am always doing that to Brett. Especially when it comes to chinese food. And you always said I must be your daughter cuz I prefer to go out to eat at a restaurant than cook at home. You were so right. So, like I said, I guess children really do turn into their parents as they get older.
I also remember how you and I would go down to the lake, at Riverside Park in Neenah, WI, and sit by the lake for what seemed like hours and just watch people fish or watch the ducks swim. That is something that I will always remember. Those times were always precious to me because the lake always made me feel peaceful.
And how you usually brought our entire family down to the park (usually Smith Park in Menasha, WI) and brought a bag of bread along so we could feed the ducks. I remember one or two ducks eating out of Laurie's hands. And she never got pecked by any ducks in the process.
I remember how you put fruit out in our front yard and, within 2 minutes, we had a yard full of seagulls. It was amazing to see that many seagulls at one time... in one spot. It seems like those birds can smell for miles... considering there were none close by at the moment you were throwing the fruit out. That was just amazing. I have no idea where the pictures went that we took that day. But I know that it happened just cuz I remember it. I am sure everyone else does too.
And when there was a tornado... you were usually the first one down in the basement... flashlight and radio in hand. Mom was usually upstairs looking outside saying "there's nothing going on out here, Larry !". I know you hated thunder storms that usually were followed by power failures and tornados.
I guess I have more good memories than bad ones. I could put all the good memories in here... but that would take up a lot more space than I probably have time for.
Have a good night, Dad. We may not have any time together anymore... but the memories we all have will always last forever. I Love you, Dad. Watch over us and maybe someday we will meet again. Until then... Rest In Peace !
Missing you
Hi Dad,
I am missing you so much today. My heart breaks as I think that you're gone. I know that you are in Heaven and I know that you have tried to communicate with me. I know that we will see each other again one day. I love you Dad. I carry you in my heart each and every day. Please tell Jesus to continue to watch over the rest of the family members. I know that Nathan Jr. and Zoe are having a good time with you up there. Tell them all the stories that made us laugh as children. Tell them about their mom and their aunts that love them both so much. I can see you holding both of them on your lap and going for walks throughout Heaven along the streets of Gold.
Dad, I love you and am greatful that you are so much better even though you can't be with us. Please let them know that their grandma misses them too. Mom misses you so. I am doing my best to take care of her like you asked. Please ask Jesus to continue to give me the strength to do so.
Have a good day today.
Love, Theresa
Fathers Day
Happy Father's Day, Dad. I know it's early, but I just wanted to get this over with. It's going to be very hard for me, on Father's Day, because I know that I can't send my Dad a Father's Day card. I can't put anything on the grave for you, and I can't go and sit on your grave and talk to you. Because I am so far away from Wisconsin and you are not alive anymore. My store that I work at already has our Father's Day stuff up and people are buying the stuff everyday.
I don't even like to think about Father's Day these days... much less any other holiday. Because I am just not in the mood for them. The holidays are usually just another day for Brett and me anyway. But Father's Day is especially hard for me.
Anyway... Happy Father's Day, Dad. I, too, am glad that you are feeling better and that you are not sick anymore. I always tell Mom that I want to ask how you are doing when I call her. She always proceeds to tell me that you are doing better than all of us. Cuz you will never be sick again. I guess that's the most important thing. I Love You, Dad. I always did... I just hope you knew that !
Love Your Daughter,
Karen
1 year
Hi Dad,
It is going to be 1 yr 2 days from now. I still miss you very much and love you so much. It is so hard without you here. I am so glad though that you are better. We all just wanted you to get better. We all love you. Please continue to watch over all of us. I think about you everyday.
Zoe is now with you too along with Nathan Jr.
Please tell Jesus to take care of the rest of us.
Rest in peace Dad. Until we meet again.
Love Theresa and Myron
The Package
I wanted Dad to know that Mom sent me and Brett another package the other day. She sent me an Irish t-shirt that he had worn. Along with that... she also sent me some other Irish stuff... bookmarks and some other stuff. I really appreciated that. She also sent a Memory Of Dad booklet that my sister, Theresa, had put together. I read thru it and I really appreciated all the stuff that different family members had written. So now I have other things to remember Dad by.
I wanted to share that, I think, my favorite memory of Dad was when he used to take me, my sisters, and my Mom out to the airport and watch the planes take off and land. And he used to take us around the Secura Insurance building and watch the waterfall at night. And Dad used to take walks with me... I was on a healthy eating plan since I was on medication and gained a lot of weight. It was good for Dad to walk so we took walks together when I decided to walk.
I also picked up one of his favorite treats as my favorite. Often... he would eat peanut butter and butter sandwiches. I guess I took a liking to them since I eat them all the time... either on toast... or on bread that isn't toasted.
Also... one of his favorite snacks was crackers and cheese. I don't eat them very often cuz of the lack of having cheese in the apartment. But it is a very tasty snack.
Dad always said I was his daughter cuz I like to go out to eat a lot instead of staying home and cooking a meal. I guess the less Mom had to work on a meal... the better. And there are days that I, often, don't feel like cooking cuz fast food or other restaurant food just seems like a better idea.
Dad used to help me babysit when I had my friend, Deana's, daughter over at Mom and Dad's when she had to work and I was the only person available to babysit.
I have learned how to forgive myself for things I said to Dad. He and I had many struggles while he was alive. But now it's going thru the healing process that is the next step. I am sure, with my Grief Support group, I will learn how to heal. I've been attending Grief Support for six months now... it's going really good. And the group is free too. So that's good.
I guess I should end this now. I will edit this later... as there is more to my memories than there was time allowed to put here. Thanks for stopping by everyone !!
A Kiss
We never stop to measure
Anything we might just miss
But if the wind should blow by softly
You'll feel an Angels Kiss
A Kiss thats sent from Heaven
A Kiss from up above
A Kiss thats very special
From someone that you love
For in your pain and sorrow
A Kiss will help you through
This Kiss is very private
For its meant for only you
So when our hearts are heavy
And filled with tears and pain
And no-one can console you
Remember once again
About the ones you grieve for
Because you sadly miss
And that gentle breeze you took for granted
Was just an Angels Kiss x
PACKAGES
HI, DAD !
I WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT MOM SENT ME ANOTHER PACKAGE LAST WEEKEND (OCTOBER 6, 2007). SHE SENT ME YOUR BIBLE THAT YOU USED TO USE WHEN YOU WERE STILL WITH US. SHE ALSO SENT ME PICTURES OF YOUR FINAL RESTING PLACE TOO. SO NOW I CAN LOOK AT THOSE PICTURES WHENEVER I WANT TO. I KNOW IT'S NOT THE SAME AS ACTUALLY BEING THERE... BUT IT'S CLOSE ENOUGH... SINCE I CAN'T BE THERE. BUT I'VE BEEN READING THRU THE BOOK OF GENESIS, IN YOUR BIBLE, AND I FOUND OUT SOME INTERESTING STUFF.
I REALLY MISS YOU DAD. EVERY DAY IS STILL AN UPHILL BATTLE WITH TRYING TO DEAL WITH YOU BEING GONE FROM US. I KNOW THAT YOU ARE NOT HURTING ANYMORE, BUT IT STILL HURTS. BUT HOPEFULLY MY SUPPORT GROUP WILL HELP WITH TRYING TO GET PAST IT. I DON'T KNOW IF I EVER WILL THO. I DON'T KNOW IF EITHER ONE OF US EVER WILL. BUT I AM LUCKY TO HAVE BRETT WITH ME TO HELP ME. HE REALLY IS A GOOD PERSON. I WISH YOU WOULD HAVE SEEN THAT WHEN YOU WERE HERE WITH US YET.
ANYWAY... I LOVE YOU DAD. AND I MISS YOU VERY MUCH. I THINK YOUR DEATH IS THE HARDEST THING I HAVE EVER HAD TO DEAL WITH. FIRST YOU LEFT US, THEN AUNT ELAINE, THEN MRS. KOERNER... I DON'T KNOW IF I COULD HANDLE ANYONE ELSE, WHO IS CLOSE TO ME, LEAVING THIS WORLD. I KNOW ALL THINGS HAPPEN FOR A REASON... BUT IT'S HARD WHEN THAT MANY DEATHS HAPPEN ALL IN A MATTER OF TWO MONTHS.
WATCH OVER OUR FAMILY AND KEEP EACH OF US SAFE, OKAY ? WE ALL LOVE AND MISS YOU VERY MUCH, DAD. REST IN PEACE AND MAYBE SOMEDAY I WILL SEE YOU AGAIN. SWEET DREAMS, DAD !
Dad
A DAD IS STRONG
A DAD IS LOVING
A DAD IS CARING
A DAD IS SHARING
A DAD YOU CAN
TALK TO
A DAD WILL HELP
YOU THROUGH
A DAD IS SENT FROM
ABOVE
A DAD IS PUT ON EARTH
TO GIVE LOVE
MY DAD WAS STRONG
MY DAD WAS LOVING
MY DAD WAS CARING
MY DAD WAS SHARING
MY DAD I COULD TALK TO
MY DAD WOULD HELP ME
THROUGH
MY DAD WOULD GO ABOVE
AND BEYOND
AND DO WHAT HE COULD
DO
MY DAD IS THE BEST, BUT
NOW HIS SOUL IS AT REST
I WISH MY DAD WAS STILL
HERE
I WISH IT WEREN'T TRUE
I WISH TIME COULD GO
BACK
I WISH IT COULD BE LIKE
BEFORE
I WISH THIS WAS ALL A
DREAM
I WISH YOU WOULD WALK
THROUGH THE FRONT DOOR
I KNOW YOU HAD TO LEAVE
I KNOW YOU WERE VERY
SICK
I KNOW YOU ARE AT REST
NOW
I KNOW YOUR PAIN IS GONE
I KNOW YOU ARE LOOKING
DOWN ON US
I KNOW YOU ARE UP ABOVE
I KNOW YOU WERE PUT ON
THIS EARTH TO BE A
WONDERFUL HUSBAND AND
FATHER AND SHOW US LOTS
OF LOVE.
WE ALL MISS YOU VERY
MUCH AND LOVE YOU
EVEN MORE !
BY: LAURIE MONTALVO
AGE: 29
MAY 16, 2007
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There have been 24 candles lit for Lawrence.
