Arlene B. Harris, 81, of Rugby, formerly of Bismarck, passed away on Jan. 28, 2024 in a Rugby Care Center. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, Feb. 5, at 12:30 p.m. at Cathedral of the Holy Spirit with Rev. Joshua Ehli officiating. Following the service burial will be held at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery at 3 p.m.
Visitation will be held on Sunday from 5-8 p.m. at the Bismarck Funeral Home with a Rosary/Vigil service at 7 p.m. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. A livestream of the service will be held on the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit https://venue.streamspot.com/event/NDQ1NDg0Mg== .
Arlene was born to Joseph and Elizabeth Gross on May 14, 1942, in Rugby, ND. She died January 28, 2024. She grew up on a family farm south of Rugby, ND, where she met John Harris. They were married on September 24, 1960, and had 6 children, Michael, Cameron, WI, Bryan (Michele) Sartel, MN, Sharon (Terry) Arnold, Rugby, ND, Joe (Kris) Bismarck, ND, Linda (John) Ehli, Mercer, ND, and Nancy (Buddy) Helms, Chetek, WI.
Prior to entering the workforce in 1975, she was instrumental in her children’s care and volunteered as VP of the PTA along with many school activities, and the start of the kindergarten program. She worked many years as a bookkeeper in Bismarck, ND, and assistant to the comptroller at KXJB-TV in Fargo, ND. In 1991, as an entrepreneur, she as able to travel throughout much of the country for 14 years. Her vibrant energy for life was shown in her dedication to her family and charitable involvement in her local communities. She was blessed with 16 grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren that meant the world to her. She retired to Cameron, Wisconsin, in 2005, where she stayed active serving the community through her work as Co-Manager of the Cameron food pantry and at the Senior Center.
She leaves behind her husband, John Harris; sisters, Delores Koenig, Rugby, ND, Angie Schlicht, Fargo, ND; her brother, Joe (Barb) Gross, Lisbon, ND; sisters-in-law, Jane Gross, Rugby, ND, Kathy Duchscher, Erie, CO and Kate Harris, Birch Run, MI; and brothers-in-law, Tim Duchscher, Buffalo MN, Steve (Diane) Duchscher, Dickinson, ND, Phil (Debra) Duchscher, Sioux Falls, SD.
Arlene was preceded in death by her parents, Joe and Elizabeth Gross; granddaughter, Brandy Jean Harris; sister, Mary Ann Bickler; brother, Richard Gross, brothers-in-law, Glenn Schlicht, Richard Bickler, Daniel Koenig, and Tony Harris; and sisters-in-law, Jackie Gross and Jeanne Duchscher.