Mass of Christian Burial for Joseph Harrison, 68, of Ft. Yates, ND, will be 11:00 AM Friday, May 15, 2015, at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Fort Yates, ND. Burial will be in the Sunburst Cemetery on Joe's Ranch under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. Visitation will be Thursday, May 14, 2015, at 5PM, with a rosary at 7PM, at the church. Joseph passed away Monday, May, 11, 2015, near Fort Yates as the result of an automobile accident.

Joe was born August 30, 1946 to Henry & Elizabeth (Stellflug) Harrison. He was raised on the family ranch and at an early age, Joe began to compete in rodeos where he made a great name for himself. He was quite the bareback and saddle bronc rider. He still holds the high school rodeo record for highest bronc riding score at the 1966 National High School Finals Rodeo at Wetumka, Ok. Rodeoing continued and he rode to prominence earning many titles, buckles and awards. After high school Joe went off to college to earn his apprenticeship for carpentry in Rapid City SD. He resided in Rapid City for awhile before returning home to Fort Yates, ND where he began his own ranch. Over the years Joe worked several jobs including; carpenter, foreman, mechanic, construction, welding underwater bridges, heavy equipment operator, and maintenance @ IHS before retiring the 8-5 jobs.

This didn't mean he quit working, it only meant he had more time to spend working on his farm/ranch and in his saddle shop. His talent of leather making was outstanding. He could make just about anything a person requested. He named his leather shop, "Joe's Saddle Shop". Other hobbies/jobs he had were being a stock contractor, pick-up man, arm wrestling champ, and horse racing. The horse racing took us all by surprise, because it turned into a family hobby. There were many great years of competing in horse races across the states. Joe had several extremely fast horses which earned him many, many trophies, buckles, titles and blankets, which made him very proud.

Joe always talked about his,"girls" and how proud of a dad he was. It wasn't until his grandson Daylen Harrison was born, that he finally had his boy! They were like two peas in a pod; drinking coffee early in the mornings, checking cows, running in bucking horses and farming together. They were each others sidekicks.

Most recently Joe moved down to his brother Dees to help him run his farm. It was a lot for him to take on, but he was always up for the challenge and willing to help his family in need. It was a wish if his brother Dees to have the ranch continue on. It has and will continue to do so.

Joe was very intelligent, caring, humorous, noble and most humble man. Everything he worked hard for, bought or was given, he would turn right around and gift it away. That's how generous he was. He made many friends along his way and touched the lives of everyone he came in contact with. His favorite times were sitting around with friends and family telling stories.
He is survived by daughters Peggy Jo (Steve) Walby, Lincoln, ND, Shellie Harrison, Waubun, MN, Bobbie Jo Harrison, Mandan, ND, Natosha Luger, Fort Yates, ND, Michelle Harrison, Selfridge, ND, Cassie Harrison, Bismarck, ND, Alice Harrison, McLaughlin, SD and Kelsie Harrison, Mobridge, SD; adopted daughters Medora Meyer, Elgin ND, Katie Kalenz Fort Yates, ND and Amy Hannesson, McLaughlin, SD. grandchildren Daylen, Dylan, Aydin, Zariah, Nycoy, Ophelia, Kevin, Molly, Layne, Kacie Machela, Talayna, Takoja, Teegan, Braxdton, Tamera, Tayden, Kylie, Dalton, Colton, great-grandson Hayden. God child Connie Putnam Marshall. Brothers Henry(Annie)Harrison, Fort Yates, ND, Ben(Luella) Harrison, Porcupine, ND, sisters Henrietta Marvin-Harrison, Fort Yates, ND and Beatta(Dennis) Crotty, Pembina, ND.

He is preceded in death by his parents Henry and Elizabeth Harrison, adopted father Beeman Dockery; brothers Kernal, Bill, Leroy, Jim, John and Dee; sisters Alice Underberg, Mary Poitra, Emma Harrison and one daughter Carmen No Heart.