Adelbert Harris

Funeral Services for Adelbert "Del" Harris of Albert Lea, will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Saturday, January 10, 2015 at the United Methodist Church in Albert Lea. The Reverend Tom Biatek will officiate. Interment will be in Graceland Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. -7:00 p.m. on Friday, January 9, at Bonnerup Funeral Service and one hour before the service at the church. Adelbert A. Harris (Del) of Albert Lea, was born on March 6, 1920, in Ypsilanti, Michigan, the son of Almer G. and Amy A. (Harris) Harris. He lived on the farm and attended Roosevelt High School in Ypsilanti. Del married his high school sweetheart Edwina Lucille Gerould on July 19, 1938, moved into the city where they raised three daughters, Mary, Virginia, and Joan. Del began his employment/time study work with Central Specialty in Ypsilanti. In 1958 he was transferred to Queen Products Division/Scotsman Ice Machines of Albert Lea, where he became the director of manufacturing for Scotsman, until his retirement. During his lifetime he was definitely an athlete, playing basketball, baseball and running track in high school. Later on he actively enjoyed archery, bowling, golf, and small game hunting. Of course, he also followed football, always a fan of the Detroit Lions, but he did follow the Minnesota Vikings after moving to Albert Lea. Del enjoyed time spent visiting and helping with some of the projects at the Stettler farms. Trips to Omaha meant going to the zoo, playing golf, visiting the military museum, and playing lots of bridge. Time spent in Colorado included trips into the mountains, visiting mining towns and some golf. On Saturday mornings you would find Del at Hy-Vee having coffee with his friends. He was also a willing helper and friend around his neighborhood. Del was an active member of the United Methodist Church of Albert Lea. He served on various committees over the years and enjoyed ushering in addition to meeting and greeting congregation members.
Del died on Wednesday, December 31, 2014 at ThorneCrest Retirement Community. He was 94. He sadly was preceded in death by his wife of nearly 70 years, Edwina, in 2008. Also preceding him in death were his parents, sister Leona (Joe) Elliott of Ypsilanti, sister Eloise (Jim) Totaro of Ypsilanti, brother Almer J. (Louise) Harris, also of Ypsilanti, MI. Brother-in-law Merritt Martin and nieces Peggy (Jim) Beuschlein, Holly Martin, and Linda Martin also have preceded him in death. Del is survived by his daughters: Mary (John) Stettler of Fountain City, WI, Virginia "Ginny" Harris of Gunnison, CO, and Joan Roragen of Green Valley, AZ; and five grandchildren: Karen (Ted Wilson) Stettler of Fountain City, WI, Heidi (Travis) Frey of Madison, WI, Steve Stettler of Plain WI, Kevin (Jill) Roragen of DeWitt, MI, and Keith Roragen of Omaha, NE. Five great grandchildren survive him: Haley Cromie-Stettler, Olivia and Philip Roragen, Dirk and Jack Wilson, along with sister-in-law Lois Royal and nieces/nephews Donna Steiner, Bonnie (Gary) Moore, Carol (Robert) Smith, Mary (Robert) Hall, Almer Harris, Cheryl (Mark) Berry, Rob (Jean) Martin.
Memorials suggested to ThorneCrest Beautification Project, Albert Lea Hospice or the Albert Lea United Methodist Church.