Harvey J Bessert

Oshkosh WI

After a very fulfilling life, Harvey entered Heaven on October 17, 2024 at the age of 101 to sing with the choir of Angels and be reunited with his beloved wife of 71 years, Lorraine (Lau) who passed away in 2019. 

Harvey was the loving father of: James Bessert, Jean (Don) Mueller, John (Sue) Bessert, Julie Bessert and Joel Bessert. He was the proud grandpa to Corey Pettway, Jamie (Jake) Mielke, Ben (Megan) Mueller and step-grandson Jason (Kelly) Dahse. Great-grandpa to Nicholas, Devon, Brylee, Estella, Landon, Kilian, Lily and Ivy. Harvey is further survived by his brother, Ronald, sisters-in-law: June Bessert and Donna Lau; nieces, nephews and friends. 

Harvey was born February 27, 1923, to the late William and Wilhelmina (Ohm) Bessert in the Town of Rantoul. Harvey proudly served in the Army as part of the 8th Air Force Wing in Okinawa from 1945-1946. Upon return he farmed with his father. On July 3, 1948, he married Lorraine at Trinity Lutheran Church in Rantoul. In 1949, he started a milk route with Lake-to-Lake Dairy in Kiel and worked the 2nd shift at Tecumseh. In 1960 he purchased his first bulk truck and a second one in 1964 so Lorraine had one too. 

While vacationing in Shawano in 1965, they purchased four rental cottages and a year later bought the miniature golf course. Harvey still drove the milk truck 5 days/week but would head to Shawano for the weekend to help with the businesses there. In 1968, he sold the milk route and moved from Potter to Shawano. Harvey and Lorraine constructed Shady Putt Amusement alongside the golf course. Shady Putt included bumper cards, pinball games, pool tables and a snack bar. 

In February 1978, they purchased eight acres in Edinburg, TX. DoLittle RV and Trailer Park was constructed with the help of their late good friends Elroy Fischer and Bob Wittmann (brother-in-law). By September 1978, they permanently moved to TX but continued to return to WI in the summers to run Shady Putt until 1983. After 21 years of running, managing and entertaining Winter Texans, a job they loved, they sold DoLittle RV Park to their son, Joel. Harvey continued to call Bingo, coordinate “hamburger night”, potluck dinners and help with park maintenance. 

In 2015, Harvey and Lorraine moved back to WI to be closer to family and resided in Oshkosh at Evergreen Retirement Community. Evergreen proved independence, socialization and many new friends. As Lorraine’s Alzheimer’s progressed, Harvey’s support never waivered and Evergreen made it possible for him to stay by her side. 

Harvey was an entrepreneur and always self-employed. His best business partner was Lorraine. He had a strong work ethic and enjoyed do-it-yourself projects fixing anything from bumper car motors to plumbing and electrical work. Harvey’s favorite job was rocking grandchildren and great-grandchildren to sleep. 

Harvey and Lorraine were blessed to travel with family and friends visiting Hawaii, Alaska, several countries in Europe as well as taking cruises in the Caribbean and Rhine River. Many memories and good times were had on annual bus trips with the “Farmers on the Bum” group. The best trips were to the Great Smokey Mountains with their children and grandchildren. 

Harvey was very social, quick with a joke, loved to tease and valued his lifelong friendships in WI and TX. He found joy in playing sheepshead, cribbage, calling Bingo at the RV Park, working on puzzles, taking care of his garden and sharing his homemade sauerkraut. His greatest joy was singing whether at home, in the milk truck or on vacation. He was asked to sing songs/hymns at the Evergreen Community. He often told us how he heard the beautiful voices of the Angels singing, singing without taking a breath. We know you have now joined the choir of Angels in Heaven. 

Harvey’s motto was “Life is short; enjoy life and be positive.” His faith, sense of humor and positive outlook remained strong until the end. 

Harvey was preceded in death by his parents William and Wilhelmina, wife Lorraine, sisters Olivia Carey, Loretta Schroeder, twin sister Dorothy Biedenbender, and brothers Donald and William. He was also preceded in death by brothers-in-law Bernard Carey, Wilbur Biedenbender, Wilmer Schroeder and sisters-in-law Arlene Bessert and Gertrude Bessert. Preceded also by in-laws Eldor and Clare Lau, Delores and Robert Wittmann, Betty and Darol Behnke and Wayne Lau. 

Funeral service will be at 12:00 Noon on Tuesday, October 22, 2024 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Rantoul (N6081 West River Road, Hilbert, WI).  Burial will follow in the Parish Cemetery.  A time of visitation will be held at the church from 10:30 am until 11:45 am on Tuesday.  At the time of the service and following, there will be a link available above for those wishing to watch a live stream or archived recording of the service, or view pictures of the flowers and gifts given to the family.

The family wishes to extend heartfelt gratitude to the professionals at Evergreen Retirement Community for their compassion and care.

A message from your children:  
Dad, we have been truly blessed and grateful to have had you in our lives for so many years. We look forward to seeing you and mom in Heaven. We love you both.