Harriet Drescher

MILWAUKEE – Passed away peacefully, Friday, April 3, 2020, at the age of 94. Born November 11, 1925, in Jackson, WI to John and Cora (Schmid) Kienholz. She married Russell Drescher on April 21, 1945, in Jackson. Harriet attended West Bend High School where she was ahead of her time when she pushed the standard by taking advanced math classes and graduating at the age of 16. Soon after graduating she moved to Milwaukee and worked at Wisconsin Bell during the war.

Her soon-to-be husband Russell was a 2nd Lieutenant, pilot, and instructor in the Army Air Corp. He was allowed to paint his plane with “Milwaukee Miss” as a tribute to Harriet. This was unusual for the AAC to allow at that time. Russ was stricken with Polio early on in their marriage. Harriet worked with him daily at the VA during his 9-month recovery all while raising a toddler. She never let his disability be an issue in their marriage, it was just their way of life.

In 1948 they built their home together in Milwaukee where she lived for 68 years as a homemaker. Their marriage was always a partnership. They celebrated 55 years of marriage before Russell’s death in 2000.

Together they were founding members of Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Milwaukee where they were very active members and raised their family to love the Lord. Many a Saturday night you could find them playing Sheepshead as part of the fellowship group. Harriet loved their rockhounding family camping trips all over the United States and Canada.

She was accomplished in lapidary and enjoyed turning her found treasures into jewelry. Harriet was able to enjoy special trips to Switzerland and Alaska with Russell and Hawaii with her daughter. Harriet and Annie, her Chesapeake Bay Retriever, became a certified therapy team when she was 81 and they visited nursing homes until she was 87.

Harriet is survived by her sons Randall, Milwaukee, and Paul (Karen), Muskego, the late Brian (Faith), Port St. Lucie, FL, daughter Christine Miles (David), New London; grandchildren Kelly Drescher-Johnson (Mark), Boston, MA, Aaron (Marie), Grossolbersdorf, Germany, Nicholas (Amanda), Milwaukee, Michael, Madison, Camron Miles, Sun Prairie; great-grandchildren Ian, Hannah, Tilda, Germany and Ethan, Milwaukee. She is further survived by her beloved rescue beagle Bambi who was lovingly adopted by her neighbors when she moved to assisted living in 2016. Bambi never forgot Harriet and was excited to see her when she went to visit. Harriet is also survived by her granddogs, Sophie, Tucker, Oreo, Copper, Daisy, Motley, Wüschel, Wilber, Beatrice and Faline. The dogs always knew who the easy touch was. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Russell and son Brian.

A Memorial Service will be held at a later date. For information on regarding the date please email Christine at harriet.drescher@gmail.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to Chesapeake Retriever Rescue of Wisconsin, 1318 S Kernan Ave, Appleton, WI 54915 would be appreciated.

The family would like to thank Regency Senior Communities Assisted Living, Muskego where mom lived for 3 years and Evergreen Nursing Home, Oshkosh where she spent the last months of her life. Both places provided loving and compassionate care.