Obituary of Charles A. Harshner

Charles A. Harshner, 95, a long-time resident of Wisconsin Rapids and more recently a resident of Prairie du Sac, passed away on Sunday morning, September 18, 2011 at Maplewood Nursing Home.

Charles was born May 31, 1916, in Marshfield WI to Thomas and Jennie (Hiller) Harshner. He graduated in 1935 from the Wood County Agricultural High School. From early youth through high school, Charles refined his musical abilities on numerous instruments including the trumpet, piano, and guitar. Upon graduation, he traveled with an entertainment group lead by Red Blanchard, comedian and host of the WLS radio show, “Barn Dance.” Charles performed as Mr. Blanchard’s “straight man” and orchestra musician, throughout the Midwest and beyond.
After a life altering faith experience, Charles left entertainment and returned to Wisconsin Rapids to work on the Green Bay and Western Railroad, followed by Consolidated Water Power and Paper Company. He retired from Consolidated in 1979 after 43 years of service.
Charles Harshner and Agnes Parker were married in Dubuque, Iowa on September 11th, 1940 after which they took up residency in Wisconsin Rapids for three years prior to serving in the U.S. Army. In 1943 Charles was invited to serve his country in the South Pacific and for 3 years was a surgical technician at the 122nd Station Hospital. At the conclusion of WWII, Charles returned to Wisconsin Rapids and to his beloved wife Agnes to begin a long anticipated family. In the years that followed, Charles and Agnes were blessed with a son, Paul and daughter, Joy.
Charles is survived by Agnes, his wife of 71 years, his son Paul (Kim) Harshner, his daughter, Joy (Dwight) Pulsfus, grandchildren Samuel (Amber Wichowsky) Harshner, Jennifer (Corbin Treacy) Harshner, David (Kara) Pulsfus, Ben (Danielle) Eithun, Cora (Derek) Kruzicki and great-grandfather, “Bumpa” to Seth Wilson, Benjamin and Carter Eithun. He is also survived by a sister, Vera (Austin) Petersen, and many nieces and nephews. Charles was preceded in death by his parents, four sisters, Carol Barto, Mabel Dupee, Helen Florence, Treva Messner and a brother, Lerone Harshner.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 22, from 4-7p.m. at the Taylor, Vollert and Jennings Funeral Home and one hour preceding the memorial service. Services will be held on Friday, September 23, at 11:00a.m. at Evangelical Free Church of Wisconsin Rapids, 611 Cook Avenue. The Rev. David Kurek will officiate. Burial will be in Restlawn Memorial Park Cemetery.

To be in the presence of our husband, father and grandfather was to experience a gentle spirit of kindness, a mind full of riches and a heart of boundless generosity. His humble, unpretentious personality was truly the authentic person he was at all times. He was steady, unflappable, and grounded in faith, providing wonderful stability for family, extended family and friends. We are indebted to Charles for the unconditional love he gave to all. In honor of this life may we aspire to the same ideals.
“Well done, thou good and faithful servant: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”