Obituary: Darlene Harris

Darlene “Dolly” Johnson Harris, age 82, died on the evening of December 20th in her apartment at Summerwood in Plymouth, MN, with several of her children present providing comfort and care during her final moments.  All of her children had been with her during her last week of life, as her passing had been anticipated. 

Dolly was born on January 13, 1930, in Albert Lea, MN, to Robert and Pearl Johnson as their first child.  When she was in high school the family moved to Sparta, WI, where her father started Johnson Sheet Metal Works, and where Dolly met her future husband, the late Donald John Harris.  These high school sweethearts would marry a year after high school and start a family, eventually having five children.  The first two children were born in Sparta, a third was born in Glencoe, MN, and the last two children were born in Rhinelander, WI, where the family had moved in 1958 and established a business that published the Hodag Shopper and later also the Our Town weekly shopping newspapers.

Dolly was a homemaker devoted to her husband and family, and lavished most of her gifts and talents upon their care.  She was gifted in music, playing the piano and possessing a fine soprano voice, and for most of her adult years sang in church choir.  She appreciated literature and was an avid reader.  She played bridge and enjoyed crossword puzzles.

Dolly was preceded in death by her husband, Don Harris, who died in 1989.  She is survived by all of her children: Kathryn Harris of Tucson, AZ; Max (Y) Harris of Carrollton, TX; Jill (John) Peterson of Minnetrista, MN; Lisa (Pat) Yentzer of Plymouth, MN; and Richard Harris of Apple Valley, MN; and also by seven grandchildren: Savannah (Dominic) Paz of Portland, OR; Elizabeth Harris of Dallas, TX; Kyle Peterson of Minnetrista, MN; Clark and Brad Yentzer of Plymouth, MN; and Cynthia and Michelle Harris of Carrollton, TX; and by two great-grandchildren: Izea and Joaquin Paz of Portland, OR.

Dolly is also survived by three of her brothers: George (Linda) Johnson of Yerington, NV; Ron (Phyllis) Johnson of Conover, WI; and William “Bill” (Kathie) Johnson of Cordele, GA.  She is predeceased by her parents, Robert and Pearl Johnson, and of two brothers, Robert Johnson, Jr. and Richard Johnson, and two sisters, Beverly and Cheryl, who died as infants.

A small private service was held for immediate family members.  The family wishes to express their gratitude to all who cared for her during the final months of her life.