Kelly Harris

Funeral services for Kelly Harris, a 65-year-old Buffalo resident who died in a water related accident at Lake Henry near DeSmet, South Dakota, will be held Friday, August 9^th at 10:00 a.m. at the Harness Funeral Home chapel with Pastor Don Paulson officiating. A private family interment will take place at a later date. Visitation will be held at the Harness Funeral Home Chapel on Thursday from 1:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Donations in Kelly’s memory may be made to the St. Francis Animal Shelter at 109 Flatiron Drive in Buffalo, Wyoming 82834. Online condolences may be made at www.harnessfuneralhome.com.

Kelly Suzanne Harris was born on Sept. 19, 1958 in Wessington Springs, South Dakota to Dale “Noogie” and Anita “Fang” Leischner. She grew up and went to school and graduated from Wessington Springs High School with the class of 1976. After high school, she attended floral design school in Denver and worked as a florist for several years.  She was married on December 19, 1982 in Buffalo to Jim Harris, and they made their home in Buffalo where she worked for the Serendipity Shop and later for Rich Douglas doing landscaping.  She worked for Granny’s Bloomers for 25 years and later for Neltje’s as their Horticultural Manager. In 2019 she took the same position for the Ucross Foundation where she was working at the time of her death. 

From a small child, she had a great passion for flowers and growing plants.  She was an avid musician and was a member of the Sweet Adelines, and other Buffalo quartets.  She played the oboe and was often asked to join in different local appearances. She was an avid softball player and enjoyed all sports in general. She loved animals, and they were an integral part of her life. She is survived by her father, Dale Leischner of Buffalo; one son Collin Harris of Buffalo; one daughter Whitney Nelson and her husband Ben of Missoula, Montana; one brother Kirk Leischner and his wife Cathy of Buffalo; one sister Kristy Money of Buffalo; two nephews, Aaron Money and his wife Monica and Ryan Money all of Buffalo; three great nieces, RaeLee, Norah and Marissa and, one great-nephew Logan. She was preceded in death by her husband and her mother.