Eleventh Generation

279. Lester William HARRIS was born on 11 October 1919.⁷⁵

Lester William HARRIS and Ruth Mae MESNER were married in 1997.⁵² Ruth Mae MESNER, daughter of William C. MESNER and Mabel M. ROCHESTER, was born on 17 February 1922 in Knapp Township, Jackson County, WI.^43,52,119 She was a member of the First Baptist Church about 1926 in Warrens, Lincoln Township, Monroe County, WI.³⁰⁰ She appeared in the census in 1930 in Lincoln Township, Monroe County, WI.¹¹⁹ Ruth died on 29 September 2006 at the age of 84 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.⁵²

Obituary Notes: "Ruth Roberts Harris, age 84, of Tomah, WI, passed away on Friday, Sept. 29, 2006, at her home surrounded by her family. She was born on Feb. 17, 1922, to William C. and Mabel (Rochester) Mesner in Knapp Township. She was a 1940 graduate of Tomah High School.

Ruth was united in marriage to Cecil C. “Bob” Vandervort in 1941. To that union was born a daughter, Betty R. Carlson. Cecil was killed in action November of 1944 while serving his country in WWII. Ruth then married Mervin F. Roberts. To this union a daughter, Sharon K. Laufenberg was born. Mervin preceded her in death in 1994. In late 1997, she was united in marriage to Lester Harris and he remains to mourn her death.

Ruth was a very active member of St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church. She was a member of the Ladies Circle, Mission Circle and several church choirs. She was active and enjoyed politics and was a member of the Republican Women Association. Ruth served as the clerk for the Town of La Grange for over 25 years. She was also a member of the Tomah City Council and the Monroe County Board for many years and served on several committees. Ruth took great pride in organizing class reunions for the Tomah High School Class of 1940 and also Mervin’s Army reunions.

She is survived by her husband, Lester of Tomah; two daughters, Betty (Eric) Carlson and Sharon (Stephen) Laufenberg all of Tomah; grandchildren, Rick Carlson, Robert (Kristi) Carlson, Stephanie (Bill) Coady and Sarah Laufenberg (fiance’, Henry Thiele); her two brothers, Lloyd (Bev) Mesner and Dale Mesner; sister-in-law, Pauline Mesner and four great-grandchildren, Joshua, Cassan-dra, Hope and Katrina Carlson; stepson, Marland (Evelyn) Magee; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands, Cecil Vandervort and Mervin Roberts; brothers, William “Bud” Mesner and Harold Mesner; sisters-in-laws, Elaine “Tootie” Mesner and Hazel Mesner.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, Oct. 2, 2006, 11 a.m. at the St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church. Pastor Donald Buch will officiate. Burial will follow in the Oak Grove Cemetery, Tomah. Family and friends were invited for visitation on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2006, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the Torkelson Funeral Home in Tomah. Family and friends are also invited for visitation on Monday from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the church."

She was buried on 2 October 2006 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.⁵² in the Oak Grove Cemetery.

Lester William HARRIS and Thelma Jacqueline PLATT were married on 23 July 1946.⁷⁵ Thelma Jacqueline PLATT was born (date unknown).