Harry W. Kaner

Harry W. Kaner, age 92 of Eau Galle, died Sunday, June 3, 2018, at Our House Senior Living in Menomonie.
Harry was born February 28, 1926 in Chicago, IL. He was the son of Emil and Francena (Weinzirl) Kaner. As a child, Harry lived and attended St. Rita’s parochial school in Chicago during the school year but spent his summers in Wisconsin on the Weinzirl farm located between Eau Galle and Elmwood.
Harry was drafted into the Army in 1944 where he served in Europe in the 101st Airborne Division as a paratrooper until the end of WWII. After the war Harry worked a few years at factory jobs in Chicago but his dream was always to move to Wisconsin.
On Aug. 30, 1950 Harry married his sweetheart Viola Russell who grew up in southern Indiana. They lived and worked in Chicago for several years and had a son Billy. In 1956 they packed up their baby and the rest of their meager belongings and moved to Wisconsin to begin their new lives as dairy farmers near Eau Galle.
Together they created a successful dairy farm making a good living with a herd of 28 milking cows. They had a family of five boys, many neighborhood friends and a beautiful farm that is still in the family today.
Living on the farm in Wisconsin allowed Harry to pursue his true passion which was the outdoors. He loved fishing Dead Lake and the Chippewa River, ice fishing the backwaters of the Mississippi River and the many lakes of Northern Wisconsin with his brothers Rich and Clarence. He enjoyed squirrel hunting, mushroom hunting, cutting wood and looked forward to the deer season every fall with his boys.
Harry is survived by his sons, Dave (Judy) Kaner of Rosemount, MN, Bob (Monica) Kaner of Menomonie, Joe (Barb) Kaner of Roberts; grandchildren, Adam (Samantha) Kaner, Andrew (Chris) Kaner, Ross Kaner, Blake Kaner, Kyle Kaner, Natalie Kaner, Sara (Nate) Sojka, Matt (Laura) Kaner; great-grandchildren Harper Sojka, Henry Sojka; sister Rita Collins of Nampa, ID; brother Rich (Nancy) Kaner of Rice Lake, WI and many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his wife Viola in 2000, sons Billy in 1957 and Jim in 1993. Also brothers John, Clarence and Roy Kaner, sister Mary Magnuson; parents Emil and Francena.
The family would like to thank St Croix Hospice for all of the comfort they provided to Harry during his final days. We would also like to express a special thank you to the staff at Our House Senior Living in Menomonie where Harry has resided for the past 15 years while still participating in many family and outdoor activities including his love of fishing and deer hunting. He lived it well until his final day.
Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Thursday June 7, 2018 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Menomonie with Rev. James Kurzynski officiating. Burial will be in Clearview Cemetery outside of Eau Galle.
Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the church on Thursday.
Online condolences may be made at www.rhielfuneralhome.com
Rhiel Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Menomonie is serving the family.