Jack Lee Harder

Jack Lee Harder, 85, of Antigo died peacefully at home on Sunday, July 23, 2023 under the care of his family and Compassus hospice following a courageous battle with cancer.

Jack was born in Wausau, WI on March 2, 1938 to Heinz and Eleanor (Whoelert). The family later moved to Aniwa, WI where he attended Birnamwood High School. Jack joined the US Air Force before graduating and later earned his GED.

Jack served 4 years in the Air Force and was stationed in England and North Africa. He then moved to Antigo and met Shirley Mae Kemmer. They were married in Crandon, WI on January 21, 1961.

Jack worked for a number of years as a heavy equipment operator for Langlade County in addition to other various jobs through the years. He was a "jack of all trades", had many inventions of his own and could repair anything. Small engine repair was his expertise. He was known to some as "the lawnmower man". He enjoyed gardening and watching wildlife in the backyard with Shirley, watching the Green Bay Packers and spending time with his family. The family was blessed to be together the day before he passed celebrating "Christmas in July".

He was a member of St. John Catholic Church and helped with church grounds cleanup and donated trees for the Christmas season.

Survivors in addition to his wife Shirley include their children Kerry (Colleen) of St. Augusta, MN, and their children and grandchildren, Lindsey (Ryan) Monroe, Regan and Reed; Justin (Holli) and Hayden; Shelley (Jim) Meyer of Deerbrook and their children Josh and Haley; Jon and his sons and grandchildren, Brendan, Alek, and his children, Ross and Kora. Siblings Nancy Hellman of Johnson City, TN; Heinz (Becky) Ewert of Portage, WI; Ann (Dale) Wagner of Hartford, WI. Along with his parents he was preceded in death by two sisters and four brothers.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Aspirus Langlade Hospital Oncology Department and Dr. Christopher Peterson and to the Interventional Radiology Department at Aspirus Wausau Hospital for the compassion and care he received.

The visitation will be held on Saturday, July 29th from 10:00 am to 11:45 am at Strasser-Roller Funeral Home. Mass will follow at 12:00 pm at St. John Catholic Church. Father Charles Hoffman and Father Joel Sember will officiate. Military honors will follow at St. John Catholic Church.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established in Jack's name.