Harris G. Walsh, 97, of Park Rapids, Minn., died Monday, March 24, 2008.
The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at Riverside United Methodist Church in Park Rapids with the Rev. Don Bird officiating. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. today at the Cease Family Funeral Home Chapel in Park Rapids and one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery in Park Rapids.
Active pallbearers will be Joe St. Clair, Joe Schoneberger, Bob Schoneberger, Ed Patrias, Bill Walsh and Marvin Swenson.
Honorary pallbearers will be Art Fridgen, Clyde Koch, Clifford Kimball, Kelly Kimball and Jay Mondry.
He was born Sept. 2, 1910, to Edmund and Essie (Kimball) Walsh at home in Arago Township, Minn. He attended the Shady Knoll Country School. At the age of 14, he began his logging journey that lasted almost eight decades, concluding with his retirement from logging and heavy equipment operating at the age of 92. Beltrami County was among the counties he served. Notably, he was presented the 50 Year Logging Award by the Minnesota Timber Producers Association in 1996. As a young man, he enjoyed playing baseball, hunting and trapping and working with his father in the sawmill. Throughout his years, he continued to enjoy watching the Minnesota Twins play baseball, hunting, snowmobiling and he always enjoyed his work.
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He was involved in various organizations and activities in the Park Rapids area. He served as a volunteer for the deer-feeding program during harsh winters and received a commendation from the State of Minnesota Legislature. He served on the Hubbard County Parks and Recreation Board for over 17 years. One of his accomplishments included planning, developing and improving Heartland Park. Also, he was a member of the Lions and Masons. For decades, he was in the main contingent of men putting up the Christmas tree on Main Street. For more than 50 years, it was not unusual to see him up at 3 a.m. voluntarily snowplowing for friends, neighbors and the Riverside United Methodist Church. He was hired as a local woodsman with the Civilian Conservation Corps to teach the CCC workers how to handle axes and saws, which progressed to a position of truck driver and then to head mechanic. He later operated heavy equipment during construction on the Alaskan (ALCAN) Highway.
He married Blanche Solinger July 3, 1935. They shared a wonderful life be it on the dance floor, snowmobiling or working together.
He is survived by his daughters, Shirley (Jerry) Green of Park Rapids and Edwardsville, Ill., Karen (Charles) Manners of Park Rapids; brother, Chester Walsh; sister, Deloris Elam; half-sister, Anita (Douglas) Dearhamer; step-sister, Ruth (Howard) Elliott; step-brother, Alfred (Pat) Neumann; five grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; sisters, Mabel Gulbranson, Carrie Malm; and one grandchild.
