Dick Harison

Richard Ralph "Dick" Harison, 85, of Ponca, NE passed away on Thursday, September 24, 2015 at the Elm's Health Care Center in Ponca, NE, while surrounded by his family.Services will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Monday, September 28, 2015 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Ponca, NE with Rev. Andrew L. Sohm officiating. Burial will be in the Ponca City Cemetery in Ponca. Visitation with the family present will begin at 1:00 P.M., with a scriptural wake service at 2:00 P.M. on Sunday, September 27, 2015 at the church. Services are under the direction of Mohr Funeral Home in Ponca.Dick was born in Ponca, NE on November 8, 1929, the son of William and Pauline (Bridgford) Harison. He attended school in Ponca. Dick married Bonnie Harder on August 4, 1946 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Jackson, NE. They lived in Ponca most of their married life. Dick's love of cars led him to a career as an auto mechanic beginning at Schwiesow's garage, Floyd Adams Chevrolet, Hayes Ford and Knerl Ford. People came from miles around just to have Dick work on their car. Dick had numerous outstanding service awards from Ford Motor Company. After he retired as a mechanic, he became a car salesman for Bob, Phil and Kelly Knerl and later with Royce Kollbaum. Everyone wanted to buy Dick's cars because if he had them, they were in tip top condition. With cars being his passion, he won several trophies drag racing and was a member of the Corvette Club, owning forty-two of his own. Ponca's parades were not complete without Dick and Bonnie driving one of their special cars.Dick was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, being baptized and confirmed in July of 2015 by Father Sohm. Dick cherished every visit from his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.Survivors include daughters, Ginny Keller, Ruth (Aub) Voss and Janet Wilson; ten grandchildren and twenty-five great-grandchildren, Chris (Jayna) Keller and children, Meg, Evan and Elsie, Nikki (Pat) Yost and children, Payton, Avynn, Samantha and Keller, Kelley (Karl) Oehlke and children, Klaire, Kade, Kwyn and Kayna, Jeff (Angie) Keller and children, Brody and Brooklyn and Jamie (Joey) Thoene and son, Jed, Tami (Jeff) Pick and children, Alycia, Allison, Hunter, Faith and Tia, Brandon (Brooke) Voss and children, Graci, Ava and Sofia, Amber (Wayne) McNutt and children, Brayden, Gage and Ashlyn, Aaron Voss, Christine (Morgan) Micheletti; a sister, Liz (Bob) Vermilyea; and in-laws, Joanne Rahn and David and Karen Harder.Dick was preceded in death by his wife of sixty-eight years, Bonnie, on January 25, 2015; his parents, William and Pauline Harison; step-father, Louis Tracy; sons-in-law, Doug Keller and Bill Wilson; and brother-in-law, Paul Rahn.Dick's family would like to thank the staff at Elm's Health Care Center and Hospice of Siouxland for their loving care.