Richard L. Harris

Richard Lionel Harris died on June 8, 2015 at his home near Deer River, MN of cancer. Richard, who was commonly known as Lionel, was born on June 15, 1927 in Lincoln, NE and was the elder son of Harold and Mary (Halfhill) Harris. As a boy he grew up in St. Paul, MN, graduated from Murray High School in 1945 and served in the Navy from April 1945 thru September 1946. Lionel graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1951 with a dual major in chemical engineering and business administration. He worked for E. I. DuPont in Wilmington, DE from June 1951 thru April 1953. He worked with his father on the Sutherland Courier newspaper in Iowa from May 1952 to August 1954. Together with his wife Elaine, he owned and published The Correctionville News from September 1954 to November 1975. During this time they also owned and published the Danbury Review, Anthon Herald, and Pierson Press. Following the death of his wife, he worked at Davies Printing Company in Rochester, MN from 1979 to 1993. Lionel retired to his homestead by Sand Lake near Deer River, MN until his death.

Lionel was a member of the Masonic Lodge for 51 years, was a 32nd degree mason and was a life member of Eastern Star. Lionel was an avid inventor and held multiple patents including those for his beloved MajiSkwares game. Hobbies included fishing, bridge, chess, singing, barbershop quartets, table tennis, tennis, golf and jigsaw puzzles. He made annual trips to the Boundary Waters with friends and family for at least 50 years.

Lionel was preceded in death by his wife Elaine (June 28, 1977), his brother Wendell (May 22, 2013) and his parents.

Lionel is survived by his children: Ron (Robyn), Cheryl (Gerald) Bouziden, Diana (Tom) Bates, Rex (Barb) and Donald. He is survived by three generations of grandchildren, sister-in-law Mary Harris, brother-in-law Clophos Bulleigh, and many nephews, nieces and cousins.