Arlette I. Harris Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Arlette Ileen Harris died peacefully on Saturday, June 4, 2016, surrounded by her husband, children and grandchildren, at the Bowman Hospice Center of Rush Presbyterian Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. Born on Nov. 9, 1939 to Tollak and Stella Tollefson, and raised in Bonilla, South Dakota, she was the youngest of six daughters (LuVerne, Theone, Doris, Ruth, Jeaniene--who is the only surviving sister--and Arlette). She married Jack G. Harris and they spent a wonderful 56 years together. The family lived in several towns in Michigan (Litchfield, Charlevoix and Holly) where Jack served as a pastor. Their retirement years were spent in several places: at their house on Houghton Lake, MI, and at their homes in Ormond-by-the-Sea, FL and Chicago, IL. Arlette is the truly beloved mother of three children and their spouses: Sonia and Jeff Semenchuk (Chicago, IL), Dr. Paul and Allison Harris (Chicago, IL) and Dr. Eric and Amber Harris (Edmonds, WA). She is also the best grandmother to 10 grandchildren: Andre and Katia Semenchuk; Olivia, Jack and Julia Harris; Max, Gabe, Mason, Brook Lynn and Margret Harris. Professionally, Arlette was a gifted elementary school teacher for over 38 years who spent countless after-school and weekend hours helping her students succeed. Each of her students left her classroom reading at or above grade level. She was a deeply faithful woman who was a very active partner to Jack in many ministries in the churches where they truly served as a team, touching many lives with the love of Christ. She started and directed both a lay witness ministry as well as a children's camp at her beloved Lake Louise Baptist Camp in northern Michigan. She was well known for hosting countless meals in her home for members of the church family and community. She was a tireless giver, organizing housing for Cambodian refugees in the 1970s, visiting patients in hospitals with words of encouragement and love, and participating in numerous acts of service to others. Arlette had many interests and passions. She loved visual and musical arts (especially Broadway musicals), and she was an accomplished oil painter. Some of her favorite activities included camping, fishing, walking the beach and visiting museums and zoos with her grandchildren. She lived life with joy. Visitation will be on Monday, June 13th from 4 to 9 PM at the Dryer Funeral Home in Holly, Michigan. The funeral service will be held on Tuesday, June 14th, at 10 AM at the First Baptist Church of Holly with a luncheon immediately following the service. There will be a graveside service in Bonilla, South Dakota on Friday, June 17th, where Arlette will be buried next to her loving parents and sisters. Details of the time of the graveside service can be obtained from the Welter Funeral Home in Huron, South Dakota. In lieu of flowers, expressions to celebrate Arlette’s life may be made in her memory to the First Baptist Church of Holly, Michigan for the children's ministries. wwwdryerfuneralhomeholly.com

Arlette I. Harris

November 9, 1939 - June 4, 2016