Harry Leo Herres Jr.

Harry Leo Herres, Jr., age 76 of Appleton, WI, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Appleton. He was surrounded by his family.

Harry was born on July 13, 1949, in Washington, D.C., to Harry L. Herres and Pearl (Peg) Pidwerbecki Herres.

Being a proud Army brat, Harry lived on several Army bases and attended 21 different schools before finally settling in Fond du Lac, WI, his junior year of high school when his father retired from the Army as a Lieutenant Colonel. Harry enlisted in the Army, rather than be drafted. With his heart set on aviation, he ultimately found his calling in Artillery-Counter Battery Radar. After basic training, he was asked to stay stateside for an additional 6 months to be a trainer at Fort Sill. Harry completed a tour in Vietnam from 1970-1971. He joined the Wisconsin Army National Guard where he served as a Staff Sergeant from 1971-1975 before he was honorably discharged. He keeps his awards on his DD-214, which include a bronze star.

Harry met his life-long love, Jean Raddant, while they were both students at the University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh. In true Wisconsin form, they met at a party…in a barn. Harry and Jeanne married on May 1, 1971. This year would have been their 55th wedding anniversary. They had four daughters (Elizabeth, Jessica, Katherine, and Abigail) that he affectionately referred to as JAKE as it was quicker to shout. Jean taught Harry the world of growing up on a farm. He learned to garden and the art of canning. Harry wanted his family to see the US just like he had as a kid. The family took many vacations over the years in their conversion van. Their travels took them to Montana, D.C., Connecticut, Texas, and Florida. Disney World became a favorite of Harry’s -- so much so that he and Jean became Disney Vacation Club Members during the club’s inception. Harry and Jean loved spending time together whether that was at Disney, ski trips with the Three Hs, or the many cruises they took with friends or just the two of them. Harry was finally able to show Jean Germany when they took a cruise through Deutschland in 2024. 

Harry was a proud girl dad before the term was coined. He spent his days attending soccer, t-ball, volleyball, and basketball games as well as track meets. He chaperoned overnight Girl Scout camping trips as an honorary scout mom. He put together countless Barbie dream houses and accessories. He mended clothing and “helped” his girls pass their Home Ec classes. His favorite joke when asked how he would pay for all of those weddings was that he had four ladders hanging in the garage. His girl dad tendencies did not end when his daughters moved out of his house. Harry helped move them and all of their possessions in and out of countless apartments and homes over the years. Whenever something broke, he was there to fix it in a most MacGyver type of way…probably with Velcro. He was always happy to help, and it would only “cost you a nickel next time.” Harry was also proud to be their chief meteorologist, providing unsolicited weather updates, whether accurate or not, by phone call or text. 

Possibly Harry’s most prized title was that of Grandpa. He adored his nine grandchildren. Harry spoiled his grandchildren with his love and especially his time. He again spent his days attending soccer, baseball, basketball, and football games as well as cross country and track meets. He went to music performances, church services, and Grandparents’ Days at school. He found himself putting together Barbie dream houses, something he promised he would never do again. Grandpa Uber drove these kids everywhere. He drove kids to and from school. He drove them to friends’ houses and events. He also had a special place in his heart for his many fur-grandbabies. We’re not sure how to let our pets know that Harry will not be back to give them scratchies and tell them how much he loves them.

Harry was a proud LEO (law enforcement officer). He felt a special bond with the many people he worked with over the years. Harry worked for the Outagamie Sheriff’s Department and met and collaborated with several others from a variety of law enforcement agencies. He marched in Flag Day and Christmas parades and often worked on holidays. Most of the family Christmas pictures show Harry in his brown Outagamie uniform. One of Harry’s best qualities was his ability to tell a story. He could recount events that painted a picture as if you were there with him. You could find him retelling these stories at random hours of the night at a local Perkins, surrounded by other officers. Harry loved the people he worked with like family. Trust us when we say that if you felt you had a connection with him, it was real; he truly cared about you and wanted you to “stay between ditches.”

In retirement, Harry found a love of volunteering at Classical School in Appleton, WI, where his daughter teaches. He has volunteered in classrooms, read with students, and helped with homework. He rewired countless Chromebook Carts and has been known to use his MacGyver skills to fix random problems for staff. Harry has visited Classical’s 8th grade history classes since 2013 to share about his experiences as a radar operator in Vietnam. The students and staff at Classical School even provided Harry with a special welcome back “parade” through the halls when he returned from his Honor Flight in 2019.

In addition to his parents, Harry was preceded in death by his parents-in-law, Harley and Helen Raddant, and son-in-law, Daniel Paul.

Harry is survived by his loving wife, Jean, his daughters, Liz (Tony) Paul (Carter, Gus, and Tavon), Jessie (Marty) Crownhart (Oscar, Olive, and Violet), Katie (Joe) Baldwin (Harry, Harley, George, and Louis), and Abby (Jeff) Hood. He is also survived by his sister Theresa (Francis) Morgan, brother James Herres, his brother-in-law Dick (Barb) Raddant, and sisters-in-law Carol Wagner and Lucy Carrington. Harry also leaves behind his Aunt Adele Zanon, Aunt Carol (Dennis) Hilker, many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends that meant the world to him.

Harry is also survived by the remaining members of the Three Hs, Mike Heenan and Mike Heisler. Harry, Mike, and Mike began working at the Sheriff’s Department around the same time and became fast and fierce friends. The shenanigans that ensued over the years thankfully occurred before social media existed. Even after the three men retired from law enforcement, the good times continued. Mike’s and Mike’s families are very much a part of the Herres family.

Funeral Mass will be held Thursday, February 12, at 5:00 PM at St. Bernadette Catholic Church, 2331 E. Lourdes Dr., Appleton, WI. Friends and family may visit from 2:00PM until the time of Funeral Mass at St. Bernadette. Friends and family are welcome to join the family at Pullmans at Trolley Square after the service to celebrate the life of Harry. For online condolences, please visit www.valleyfh.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made in Harry’s memory to assist in covering funeral costs.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.