Mary K. Harris, age 62, of Arkdale, Wisconsin passed away Tuesday, December 28, 2021, at Gundersen Hospital in La Crosse, WI.
Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 15, 2022, at Roseberry’s Funeral Home. Funeral services will follow at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday at the Faith Baptist Church in Adams, Wisconsin.
Mary was born April 9, 1959, in La Crosse, to Francis and Theresa (Hafner) Wilkes. She graduated from UW River Falls with a bachelor’s in elementary education and was hired by the A-F school district as the middle school art teacher in 1984 until she retired.
Mary married Michael Harris on August 5, 1989, in Adams, WI. In 1991 Mary and a group of horse enthusiasts put 30 miles of horse trails in on WRPCO lands and the castle rock horse trails were born followed by Mary’s very own horse camp known as Ukarydee. She was actively involved in annual trail maintenance always and loved to ride the trails all over the state.
Mary enjoyed flower gardens, riding horseback, traveling, her art studio with her clay and jewelry, her fishpond and patio area she built times three, and occasionally getting to fish on the river. She was very active and touched everyone she came in contact with. Mary had a love for her Lord and Savior Jesus, and she allowed Him to change her every day, which is the secret to all the joy that she displayed for everyone.
Mary was preceded in death by her father: Francis Wilkes, brother: Charles Wilkes, and sisters: Vicki & Lucy Wilkes.
Survivors include her husband: Michael, son: Daniel, daughters: Daisy Jenks & Sarah Lapp, mother: Theresa Wilkes, sisters: Roseann, Jeanie, Judy, Betty, Sue, Joan & Kathy, seven grandchildren: Logan, Jasmin, Malachi, Karysa Lapp, Calvin Olson, Elijah, and Jaxon Jenks.
Sincere condolences on the loss of Mary. I had the opportunity to work with her at Castle Rock Elementary School. She was so dedicated to her art and exposed the students to so many styles and techniques. Her passion for art was freely shared, and she always wanted the best for her students. May her friends and family find comfort, and may Mary rest in peace.
My family and I were so saddened when hearing of Mary’s passing. She was such a joy and inspiration to all who knew and loved her! She will forever live on in the hearts of all the lives she touched! My thoughts are with you all at this painful time. May her deep, undying love for all of you bring you peace and comfort!
Mike and Family,
So sorry for your loss. Mary was always smiling. Keep the great times you all had close during this difficult time.
Mrs Harris inspired many young artists over the years at Adams-Friendship area schools. She will be deeply missed. My condolences to her family and community.
I met Mary years ago , when I had my Farrier business , her sense of humor while she held each horse ,made it a pleasure while I worked , she made sure all the horses stood , for shoeing and trims . The campground her and Mike built turned out to be a good one , she’ll be missed , condolences to Mike and family for their loss ,🙏✝️✝️✝️❤️
I am praying for us all daily for help to withstand the great loss of this most wonderful person. Remembering all the hours we spent together doing art projects, running around with you kids, playing games at your home and being privileged too do so, warms my heart. Remembering the year the “Yaya’s” ( a nick name my husband gave to our little group of 4), gave her a surprise 50th birthday party, only to be surprised at the gathering to find out we were a year ahead of time. I will miss her every day of my life. Love to all of you in mourning.
So sorry for your loss. Really missed you at church. Glad she is with the Lord, sorry she is not here with us.
Nothing i can write in this comment box can explain how sorry i was to here of your loss. She has truly touched our hearts and will live in them forever. 😥🙏🙏🙏
There was an instance connection when I met Mike and Mary some years ago at Ukaryadee. It didn’t take long to know the reason why. Mary was not shy in sharing her love for the Lord Jesus Christ. Mike and family I pray you take comfort in knowing that Mary met Jesus at heavens gate and the words “Well done good and faithful servant” were said to her. “Welcome home”. May each of you walk in God’s perfect peace and be comforted knowing you will see Mary again one day in Jesus name. Amen
Dear Mike and Family Members,
We are so very sorry to learn of the loss of your beautiful wife, mother, friend. Our deepest condolences to everyone.
Your Friends,
Gary and Bonnie McMullen
My thoughts are with you Mike.
I’m SO sorry for your loss, Mike and your family. She was a kind, gentle, and beautiful soul who shared her beauty with everyone. Thank you for providing such a wonderful place to camp and ride. You were all so accommodating and inviting. I hope the place continues in your services.
My deepest condolences to the family.
Mary was one of the most pleasant ladies I’ve ever known, always greeting with a smile and giving words of encouragement. She will be greatly missed on the trails and in the campground. May God Bless all the grieving hearts at this time of sorrow.
Words escape me as I just can’t imagine the world without Mary’s smile. She shared generously all of her ” loves” of horses, nature, art, teaching and especially the Lord! I know in my heart she will continue to ride the trails of Ukarydee together with me and my sister, Amber. May God bless and keep you Mike and family. Big hugs.
This news is so sad. She was one of my favorite teachers. Truly an inspiration. Condolences to family & friends.
I am sad to hear about Mary’s passing. It’s hard to put into words what her friendship meant to me. She shared her love of horses with me, and we had many long rides together enjoying all of God’s creations along the trails. A year ago I was blessed with a beautiful American Cocker Spaniel that she lovingly raised. She will be missed. I hope her family can find comfort in happy memories as I know she would not want you to be sad for too long.
Gone way to soon
Mary was always a happy lady to chat with
Her love for the campground and the people who came and went were amazing
She will be greatly missed by all
My thoughts and prayers go out to the family
Mary was a very good art teacher at the Middle School. She had “out of the box” ideas to make art more available to the students and staff. She encouraged students to draw and paint classic art work, under guidance, on the walls of the Middle School. It was really neat to see how she inspired kids to do their best.
She was also very supported of the music programs as well. On a number of occasions, she helped me out withe “The 6th Grade Singers”, by chaperoning parades and designing props for their concerts.
Mike, we are very sorry for the loss of Mary. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and all your family. Nina and Dave Zelenski
I’m so sorry for your loss. I enjoyed visiting with Mary when we would camp or just there for a day ride. I did a pottery class with her one night a couple years ago while camping and we had so much fun. She will be greatly missed. Prayer to the family.
To Mike and all who loved Mary. My God bring you comfort and the wonderful memories from Mary’s journey on earth. My deepest condolences
Gone way too soon. Sincerest sympathy to Mary’s family. Her horses are missing her too. She loved you all dearly. I enjoyed working with her at School. She was always willing to share her art ideas and supplies with me & my students. Her clay art was amazing!
I am so very sorry and sad to hear of Mary’s passing. Mary was such a nice person. My thoughts and prayers go out to Mike and the rest of the family.
Mary always was friendly and made us feel welcome at her horse camp. She will be truly missed. Send god love and strength to Mike and Family.
Peace be with you
From John Gagnea and Teresa Dietz
Way to early. She was an inspiring and creative middle school teacher. She had a great outdoors quality of animal nature. Peace and comfort to the family who were great friends with my son, Shane and a great teacher under Mr. B.
Tom and Terri Harvey-Beversdorf
I am both shocked and saddened to hear of Mary’s passing. From the first time I met her at the camp I felt a kinship with her. She was always out working in the garden, weed whacking around the camp or my favorite; out riding the trails on her horse with a set of pruners. A friendly and generous person. I still have the yellow iris she gave me when I was up at the camp when she was renovating her garden. I will think of her every spring when they bloom. She will be missed but not be forgotten.
so very sorry to hear of marys passing. she always made us feel welcome during our weekends at camp. our thoughts and prayers are with your family.
My deepest sympathies to the family, she was a grand horsewoman and kept a fine horse camp that I am certain many pray will remain open as she would have wanted.
Sending our thoughts and prayers to Mike and the family.
As Mike and Mary’s first camper 30 some years ago, we have many good memories.. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family.
I’m so sorry for your loss. It wasn’t unusual to see Mary working tirelessly in her beautiful gardens.. She always welcomed us with a smile when we’d arrive & my friends & I have so many cherished memories from our annual trips to Ukarydee.
I’ll hold you all in my prayers. 🙏
May the peace of the Lord fill you in this difficult time.
Our prayers go out to their families. We will miss you dearly Mary. What a sweet person you were. 🙏🤗.
Mike, if you need anything Harlen and I are here for you.
My deepest sympathy to you Mike, Dan, Daisy, Sara and all of Mary Kay’s family, you are in my thoughts and prayers.
I met Mary when she was teaching. She loves life and her passion for her campground was easily seen. When she bumped into you in the community she always new who you were. We will never understand the plan of our dear lord and savior and why he called her home so soon but to her family hold on to the memories and let them help you heal. I am sure by now she is getting to know all the horses and helping to care for them. Sympathy Hugs and Prayers to all.
My condolences to you and your family. I pray that God will wrap His arms of love around you and comfort you as only He can.
My thoughts and prayers to you and your family during this difficult time.
I am so sorry to learn of Mary’s passing. My condolences to Mary’s family.
Back in our more athletic days Mary was part of my volleyball team and pool team. We had many memorable moments winning trophies. She was my children’s art teacher. Even though we have not kept in touch we always knew the other was there for them. She will be missed by many. RIP my friend.
So very sad to hear about Mary. Omg I loved the trails. She was so very kind
And I am a new rider so Mary who i met on a ride coach ed me long the way
I remember telling her she was doing what i always cherished to do. They should change the name of that road and camp in honor of this kind compassionate woman. RIP Mary in God’s Heavenly peace.
Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers, Mike, Dan, Daisy, Sara and families.
I have so many good memories with Mary that I will always treasure! Especially 🐎🐎 horseback riding together on the Castle Rock Horse Trails on many occasions, including helping disabled people ride, horse camping at Ukarydee, doing Cowboys for Christ outreach together, her help working with my filly Misty when she was a newborn foal almost 20 years ago and riding my horse behind her & Mary Clapper driving their horse drawn carts. She was an amazing person and will be greatly missed!
I am so incredibly sorry for her family on their loss of an incredible Woman.
I met her years ago camping there for an endurance ride and fell in love with the horse oasis she created. She was always so kind and helpful when we were there and my Bi-annual trips to Ukarydee and seeing her were always highlights of my summer. She brought together so many people from so many walks of life. She smile and spark will be greatly missed.
So sorry to hear of Mary’s passing. You are all in our thoughts at this difficult time.
I am so sorry for your loss Mike. Just take your time and let me know if you need anything. My prayers are with you and your family