Harris Draayers

Harris J. "Biff" Draayers, 58, of Oostburg died unexpectedly at his home on Monday, December 17, 2012 following an apparent heart attack. Harris was born on March 31, 1954 in Sheboygan, the son of the late Leslie H. and Marcia (TerMaat) Draayers. He graduated from Cedar Grove High School in 1972. In August 1986 he married Sarah Keller in the Town of Holland. Harris was a master electrician for many years. He began working with his father in the family business, Draayers Electric, and then was self-employed until 2008. For the past four years he served as the lead electrician and special projects manager at Concordia University in Mequon. There, he became dearly loved and highly respected for the many mechanical and technical talents that he was able to provide to the university involving electrical and lighting. Harris served as past president of the Oostburg Public School Board for many years, a Town of Holland Board member, and member of the Daane Ace Hardware Trap Shooting Team. He was the Oostburg High School Girls Indoor Soccer coach and SAYSO soccer coach during the years his children participated in youth soccer. Harris spent much of his youth trapping, hunting, trap shooting, fishing, leading to a lifelong love of nature. He also enjoyed raising mink and woodworking. Harris was very proud of his fifth generation homestead and spent countless hours restoring and renovating the family's century farm. He was interested in community and family history and cared for the Draayers family beach property. He is survived by his wife, Sarah Keller; one daughter, Hannah Draayers of Madison; one son, Harrison Draayers of Milwaukee; his sister, Mary (Robert) Schuknecht of Port Washington; a niece, Vicki Smith; a nephew, Jon (Sarah) Schuknecht; two great nieces and a great nephew; his mother-in-law, Mary Patricia Keller of Elm Grove; one sister-in-law, Anne (Steve) Ryan of Minneapolis; five brothers-in-law, George (Jo) Keller of St. Louis, John Keller of Kansas City, KS, Mark (Terri) Keller of Brookfield, Peter Keller of Hubertus, and Patrick Daniel of Madison; many other nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. Harris was preceded in death by his parents, father-in-law, George Keller; and a sister-in-law Mary Larene Keller. A funeral to celebrate Harris' life will be held at the Concordia University Chapel in Mequon on Friday, December 21, 2012 at 6 pm. The Rev. Dr. Patrick Ferry, college president, will officiate. Private family burial will take place at the Cedar Grove Cemetery. Family and friends will gather at the Wenig Funeral Home on Thursday from 4-8 pm, and on Friday, at Concordia University Chapel from 4:30 pm until the time of the service at 6 pm. For additional information and online condolences please visit www.wenigfuneralhome.com A memorial fund is being established in his memory for the Oostburg Community Educational Foundation.

Visitation

Thursday, December 20, 2012 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Wenig Funeral Home - Oostburg
108 Center Ave. Oostburg 53070, United States

Visitation

Friday, December 21, 2012 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM
Concordia University Chapel
Mequon WI ,

Service

Friday, December 21, 2012 6:00 PM
Concordia University Chapel
Mequon WI ,