Paul C. Harris

Paul C. Harris, age 80 of Lac du Flambeau, WI passed away on Monday, July 4th with his family by his side. Paul was born on July 7, 1941 in Potosi, WI the son of Paul and Kathryn (nee Elskamp) Schaefer.
He married Ginnie Kafka on May 12, 1967.
Paul started out his career with his father, Harry, in the barber business. They owned a barber shop in Oak Park, IL which was occasionally visited by Bob Newhart. He held various management and safety positions in the greater Chicago area until moving his family north in 1976 when they purchased Lazy Days Resort on Fence Lake. He became owner of Unique Floors in Minocqua and eventually sold the resort, building their own home while remaining on the Fence Lake chain. After leaving Unique Floors, over the years he sold lumber equipment, worked in oil and propane industries and retired to become a school bus driver so he and Ginnie (teacher) could have their summers off.
In 1976, he became involved in the Lac du Flambeau Fire Department. He also became an EMT on their ambulance along with his wife Ginnie. He rose up to the rank of Fire Chief in 1993, retiring as Fire Chief in 2008 while still remaining on the fire department for several more years assisting with fires when able.
Over the years, he was the chief of Harris Construction, Make-it-Fit Construction and Close Enough Construction as he built their family home and the homes of his two sons.
After his family came along, they would go camping and boating. They would travel down to Grant County where his family was from and take the kids to the family farms down there, so his “city” kids could experience a little of the “country” life milking cows and bailing hay. Golf and bowling became family affairs as well as motorcycling. He was the master of the one lap and done in the pool. Paul and his family opened their home for two years to Spanish exchange students Norberto (Bert) de Rodrigo and Miguel (Butch) Martin-Borregon.
He is survived by his wife Ginnie and children Kelley (Donald) Wichman, Paul Scott (Peggy Snyder) Harris and Michael (Jamie) Harris and by beloved grandchildren Heather (Scott) Ward, Nicole Harris, Ayden Harris and Cody Harris and by great grandchildren Mason and Rhett Ward and by his sister Kathryn M. Barton and sister in law Bonnie (John) Winger and by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Paul was preceded in death by his parents Paul Schaefer, Kathryn M. Harris, step father Harry J. Harris, his brother Thomas J. Harris and brother in law Donald Barton.
Memorial Gathering for Paul will be held on Saturday, July 16th from 10:00 am to 11:30 am at Nimsgern Funeral Home Chapel in Woodruff, WI with a Memorial Service at 11:30 am.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to any local fire department or Compassus Hospice.
Online condolences may be shared at nimsgernfuneral.com
NIMSGERN FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICES IS SERVING THE FAMILY.