Harris Melvin Johnson was born March 21, 1923 on the homestead by Beresford to parents Clarence and Tilda (Ringsrud) Johnson. He passed away January 7, 2010 at Pioneer Memorial Nursing Home in Viborg, SD at the age of 86 years, 9 months and 16 days.
Harris attended North Star Rural School and graduated from Beresford High School. He then attended South Dakota State University for one year. Harris married Ruth Klopstad on August 24, 1946, in Sioux Falls. The couple lived on the family farm north of Beresford where he farmed and enjoyed working with draft horses until retiring in 1983 when they moved into Beresford.
Harris was baptized and confirmed in the Zion Evangelical Church and later became a member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church. He was a Lions member for over 50 years and a member of the Union county historical society. He loved to socialize and play cards.
Harris was preceded in death by his parents, wife Ruth, daughter Barbara, Son Craig, and brother Kart (Karleton).
He is survived by a son Bruce and wife Anita; two grand children: Jennifer Ellingson and husband Pat and Wade Johnson and wife Deb; and six great-grandchildren all of Beresford. His sense of humor, memory, and conversations will be missed by many relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00PM, Monday, January 11 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church with burial to follow at Zion Cemetery, rural Beresford. Visitation will be Sunday from 4PM to 8PM with family present from 7PM to 8PM and a prayer service at 7PM at Wass Funeral Home in Beresford.