Obituary of Harry Benjamin Wester

Harry Benjamin Wester, 85, of Bennett WI, passed away peacefully, November 22, 2021, at St. Luke’s Hospital, Duluth, MN, with his wife by his side.  He was born March 7, 1936 at home, in Bennett, WI, the son of Ingvard and Ethel (Abel) Wester.  He graduated in 1953, from Solon Springs High School, after attending grades 1-9 at the Bennett School.  Upon graduation and before induction into the U.S. Army, Harry worked on a farm in Wentworth, WI, then moved to southern Minnesota, and worked on a farm in Owatonna.  Later, he took a job with Wenger Music, where he mastered the skill of spray painting.  After being laid off, he worked for a time as a home milk delivery man until 1955, when he moved to Minneapolis.  There he spray painted for Freeman Manufacturing and Spans, Inc. and eventually became an arc welder and steel layout man for Spans.  In 1958, he moved back to Bennett and was drafted into the Army that fall.  His basic training was at Ft.  Benning, GA after a short stay at Ft. Carson, CO.  He was stationed in Germany for much of his time in the military and was discharged October, 1960 from active duty at Ft. Dix, NJ.  Harry remained in the Army Reserve from 1960-1976.  Upon discharge from active duty, he was employed by Clyde Iron Works in Duluth.  On September 23, 1961, Harry and Mary Edith Botten were united in marriage at St. Pius Catholic Church, in Solon Springs, WI.  In the fall of 1963 they purchased the 80 acre farm which they still own and resided at until Harry’s death.  It was here they raised their son, Curtis Allen Wester and daughter Anne Marie (Wester) Largent.  On January 1, 1976, he and Mary bought the Texaco Gas Station from Clarence Stulen and Harry resigned from Clyde Iron Works.  He partnered with his brother Vic and ran the station until the final sale of it in 1983.  Harry worked as Maintenance and Transportation Director at the Solon Springs School District from 1982 until his retirement in 1997.

From a young age, Harry had a strong interest and knowledge in all things mechanical and would take clocks apart just to check them out and put them back together.  He loved working with his hands and had several adventures as a boy, while doing so.  This included “remodeling” the pig house, driving and fixing his folks tractor and doodlebug and many other such things.  One story he loved to tell was that of building a “craty-jig” and using colorful ways to make it go downhill faster.  Unfortunately, faster than the craty-jig could handle, self destructing on the way down, from the weight of a dump rake and rear axle of a wagon, he’d attached for maximum speed, managing to roll out of the way before the whole mess ran him over!!  His creativeness and ingenuity never left him and he continued to repair and create until his passing.

Harry is survived by his wife of 60 years, Mary; son Curt; daughter Anne (Scott) Largent; Granddaughter’s Kara Lathrop, Rebeccah Wester, Brittney (Robert) Doroghazi, Jen Christianson; Grandson’s Nick and Ryan Mays and Branden Largent; Brother’s Phil (Carol) Wester, Vic (Doris) Wester; Sister Leota (Dave) Johnson; sister-in-law Marie (Don) Wester; and many nieces and nephews and several great grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Ingvard and Ethel, his brother Don and his sister and brother in law, Linda and John Ernst.

The funeral service will be held Saturday, January 22nd at 1130 am, visitation prior from 1030-1130 am. Luncheon to follow.  Service to be held at Hawthorne Assembly of God Church, Hawthorne WI.  Honorary pallbearers Vic Wester, Phil Wester, Dave Johnson, John Rivers, Bryan Sutherland and Dave Maki. Burial will be at the Bennett Cemetery in the spring.