ONTARIO - Harvey Eness, 78, of Ontario, WI, passed away at home on Monday, November 29, 2021. He was born March 5, 1943, to Thomas Harlan and Elizabeth (Olson) Eness, in Ames, Iowa.
In 1965 Harvey moved north to Ontario, WI where he purchased his first farm on Brush Creek. This was the first of many farms Harvey owned and worked over the years. Because he loved everything about farming, Harvey often told people “I never had a job my whole life.”
Harvey was steadfast when it came to working the land and would rather hitch up a team of Belgium horses than jump on a tractor to finish the task at hand. Harvey took great pride in the accomplishment of a hard days work and was pleased to see his youngest son take over his passion for farming. Harvey continued farming every day and just two weeks ago he was pulling grain carts for his son Knute with his granddaughter Leah by his side.
The Ontario Community Center changed Harvey’s life. 18 years ago, he was attending a performance by his brother Tor when Judy Clements danced her way into his life. On May 22, 2004, Havey married Judy; his adventure companion. They loved to listen to country music, dance and travel. They had a lot of fun traveling on bus tours and recently came back from listening to great music in Branson, MO. Harvey and Judy also shared a common love of horses and farming. From driving their buggies to riding their horses in parades they were always at their happiest spending time with each other and their animals.
Harvey is survived by his wife Judy; five children, Thomas “Dave” (Jill) Eness of Lewistown, MT, John (Carolyn) Eness of Viroqua, WI, Dena (Nevin) Hillegass of Richland Center, WI, Kristine (Aaron) Palmer of Richland Center, WI, and Timothy Knute (Sara) Eness of Muscoda, WI; Judy’s daughter, Pamela (Andrew) Tan of Amherst, MA; 16 grandchildren, Ellie, Evie, Erica (her daughter, great granddaughter Piper), Alexis, Erin, Trent, Sadie, Tara, Dakota (Logan), Braiden, Cutler, Jared, Leah, Jamie, Levi and Jack; siblings, Esther Peterson, Ida (Gene) Von Ruden, Eirik (Cheryl) Eness and Tor Eness; Judy’s 7 grandchildren; along with many nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Tom and Elizabeth Eness; sister Ingeborg “Inga” (Eness) Gerber; brothers-in-law Orval Baldwin, and Pete Peterson; and Judy’s daughter Julia Duprey.
Funeral services will be held Friday, December 3, 2021, 11:00 a.m. at Grace Community Church in Ontario, WI, with Pastor Bruce Milleman officiating. Burial with full military honors will follow in the Rockton Cemetery. Family and friends are invited for visitation Thursday, December 2, 2021, 4-7 p.m. at the Torkelson Funeral Home in Ontario. Visitation will also be held Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at the church. The Torkelson Funeral Home of Ontario, WI, is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be offered at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Legion in Harvey’s name. Following the burial friends and family are encouraged to gather at the Rockton Bar to share memories in honor of Harvey.
Torkelson Funeral Home
