ANDREW HARMON obituary

CHESTER - Andrew William "Andy" Harmon, 91, retired Chester area farmer, died Friday, Oct. 24, 2003, at a Chester nursing home of natural causes.

A vigil prayer service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at St. Mary's Church in Chester. A funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at St. Mary's Church with his grandson, the Rev. Andrew Harmon Cozzens, officiating. Burial will follow at the Chester Cemetery.

Andy was born on Oct. 16, 1912, near Arkansaw, Wis., to William and Barbara (Schlosser) Harmon. He grew up on a dairy farm and received his education in Wisconsin.

In 1937, Andy married Irene Johnson at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Plum City, Wis. They owned and operated dairy farms in Wisconsin and began raising their family of four. In 1952, the Harmons moved to Liberty County and took over the Frank Egger ranch south of Chester. In addition to farming and before his retirement, Andy worked for Federal Crop Insurance and served as Liberty County Appraiser for several years. Before his failing health, Andy and Irene enjoyed their winter home in Mesa, Ariz., for more than 25 years.

In his younger days in Wisconsin, Andy enjoyed breeding and training draft horses. His love for raising and riding horses and participating in saddle clubs continued throughout his adult life. He also served as a 4-H leader for several years.

His hobbies included traveling, playing shuffleboard, hunting (especially gophers), fishing, playing cards and reading. Western novels were his favorites. Andy's greatest joy was spending countless hours with his grandchildren.

Andy was an active Catholic throughout his life. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Chester for more than 50 years and was a life member of the Knights of Columbus.

Andy was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Louis and Frederick; and sisters, Lucy, Mary and Rose.

Survivors include his wife, Irene Harmon of Chester; sons, Richard (Sharon) Harmon of Chester and Daniel (Marilyn) Harmon of Kalispell; daughters, Elizabeth (Jerry) Hendrickson of Chester and Judy (Jack) Cozzens of Littleton, Colo.; acquired daughter, Rose (Al) Michl of Richmond, Minn.; brother, Carl Harmon of Arkansaw, Wis.; 17 grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren; and many nephews and nieces.

Memorials may be made to St. Mary's Catholic Church in Chester.

Arrangements are by Rockman Funeral Chapel, Chester.