Passed away peacefully at Brookdale Memory Care on August 5, 2018, at the age of 79. Harry taught social studies for 36 years and coached football for 25 years in White Bear Lake, MN. He was elected to the city council and then served two terms as Mayor of White Bear Lake. He then served for eight years in the Minnesota House of Representatives. Harry is survived by his wife of Geri; six children and 16 grandchildren. Funeral Services will be held at St. Richard's Church at 1503 Grand Ave, Racine, WI on Monday, August 13, 2018, at 11:00 a.m. A memorial service will be held at a later date at St. Mary's of the Lake Church in White Bear Lake, MN. In lieu of flowers, donations to The University of Minnesota Cystic Fibrosis Center, 1552 Mayo Memorial Building, 420 E. Delaware St. S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55435 are suggested. DRAEGER-LANGENDORF FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY 4600 County Line Road, Mt. Pleasant, WI 53403 262-552-9000 www.draeger-langendorf.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Pioneer Press on Aug. 8, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for Harry MARES

Sponsored by St Paul Pioneer Press.

31 Entries

August 14, 2018

Harry Mares was one of only three people that called me Johnny. One is my pastor, the other is Bobo. I know it was out of a special love he had for me.

He was my favorite coach and teacher. I can still remember an assignment he gave to our class. He told us to go home and tell our mom & dad we loved them. It seems strange, but that was the first time I actually told my parents I loved them. Bobo and family, I pray that God will give you peace during this time knowing that your dad left his mark on me and many many others.

God Bless, John Santi

August 13, 2018

Harry was an engaged mayor, hard-working legislator and warm-hearted friend to all who knew him. My prayers go out to Geri and the family. His loss will be felt far and wide.

Warm regards,
Georgie Hilker

Todd Zabel

August 13, 2018

One of the greatest teachers and mentors I ever had. Rest in peace Mr. Mares!

Chuck Stern

August 12, 2018

Prayers and love to the Mares family...Mr. Mares was my favorite teacher and coach, as he was always quick with a joke and encouragement. I always felt welcome in the Mares home, and he will be missed!

Steve Cartier

August 10, 2018

Our deepest condolences to Geri and the entire Mares family. Harry was truly one of the finest men ever. As a coach, he kept it light, but he also brought out the best in each one of us to strive to be better players and to always give 110% in everything we do. As a person, Harry went above and beyond to make things right. Harry will forever be in our memories, thoughts, and prayers. Rest in peace Harry.
Steve and Gail Cartier
WBL Class of '77

Leslie LeCuyer

August 10, 2018

One of the greatest people I had the privilege to know.
RIP my friend.

Roberta Auger

August 10, 2018

he was a wonderful man and teacher , he always loved the stuents he tought. always a good attuide too. he was a good man .
Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you. Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved ones today and always.peace to your family and streangth to get through this sad time in your lives . he will be missed all that loved him and that knew him .

a loved one

Sent Flowers

Shawn Peterson

August 10, 2018

My condolences to his wife and family. I was on staff at the legislature the entire time he served and he was always respectful and thoughtful of staff. He was the same person who walked in the door as a freshman that walked out as a seasoned legislator and that is rare.

Requiescat in pace Harry.

Leslie Rosedahl

August 10, 2018

Harry was very special/ gave me my first political internship with his office in the House when I was 18 in 1998. Pushed me to sit in his chair both at the office and on the Mn House of Representatives floor so I could learn everything I could. He Introduced me to people I still interact with today. His compass for doing the right thing was respected by me and so many others. Today/ as a lobbyist and former legislative staffer/ I think about the kind ways he had and how well he treated everyone. God bless Harry Mares.
- Leslie (Wilcox) Rosedahl

Shirley Koderick

August 9, 2018

I knew Harry from working at the legislature. He was always kind and very nice to all the staff no matter how much pressure was on him. My sympathies to the family.

Scott Van Orsdel

August 9, 2018

My condolences to the entire Mares family. Mr Mares or Harry was both my position Football and Track coach as well as being my facility advisor as Class President for the WBL Class of 71. He had a way of conveying his message with a mix of toughness but caring kindness that made you not to want to let him down. Whenever you were around him you knew you better be focused as he always seemed to balance helping you with having fun! Boy did he enjoy track practice when some us unfortunately tossed our cookies after doing intervals!

I know I can speak for the entire WBL Class of 1971 when I say that Harry will always live on in our memories as a wonderful person, teacher, coach and most importantly to Harry as a husband and father to his family! May God Bless!

Our prayers go out to the entire Mares family! He was a remarkable man!

Pam Novotney

August 9, 2018

With my deepest sympathy. Sending prayers for the family.

Tracy Wong Belcher ('89)

August 9, 2018

One of my fondest memories is riding with Mr. Mares in the homecoming parade. As we sat on the back of the convertible, he cracked jokes and told stories the entire route. He was truly a gifted and dynamic teacher. He will be missed by many. My thoughts are prayers are with you Bobo and the entire family.

The Class of 1973 White Bear High School

August 9, 2018

We are saddened to hear of the passing of Mr. Mares, our teacher, class advisor & friend. He was a favorite of many, many students & his memory will linger in our hearts forever. He helped raise us.

Mark Rinehart

August 9, 2018

My sincere condolences to all of the Mares family members. I did not have the privilege to have Harry as a teacher as I graduated in 1977 from the "other" high school - WB Mariner.
For several years I did have the honor to not only coach Varsity Football with Harry but to have him as a mentor in coaching as well as life!

One of my favorite memories was during two-a-day practices after we combined the two high schools ..... I think 1983 or 1984, Harry was coming back after lunch and before the afternoon practice. As he drove into the freshly tarred parking lot he watched his son Jimmy and my brother Gary in their car doing burn-outs on the fresh tar. Harry comes into the coaches office, looks at me and says, "we have an 2 players that want "Opportunity Time"" (our name for punishment)! I asked who and Harry explained. The boys suffered doing Up-Downs and 40 yard sprints for 5 minutes in front of the whole team! You see Harry was real particular about driving as he was one of White Bear's Driver's Education instructors for many years!

Love you Harry and we will surely miss you but look forward to the day I'll get to see you again!

Hayley Finn

August 8, 2018

I was a foreign exchange student at WBL highschool in 1988 & I had Mr Mares for Interdisciplinary studies & European Studies. He always showed an interest in my experience as a foreign student. He had an engaging personality & when I visited again in the 90's after I got married he took my husband & I for a tour of the state capitol. He went over & beyond as a teacher & I'm sad to hear he's gone. Condolences to the family - a special man.

August 8, 2018

Bobo,and Mares Family
I had the privilege of having Mr. Mares as a teacher. I always looked forward to class because Mr. Mares was a dynamic, gifted teacher and made learning fun. More than that, he was a good man and it was evident that he cared about his students. My sincere sympathies to your family. May God bring comfort your grieving hearts.

Kari (Carlson) Anderson
Class of '88

This is the Harry I'll remember .

Steve Long

August 8, 2018

Harry touched a lot of lives, young and impressionable lives . If the mark of a man are memories of a good man and a good educator , his mark is carved in stone for the ages . If you knew him as a teacher , yeah , you get it !

August 8, 2018

It is my privilege to have Harry Mares as a mentor and friend. He touched my life indelibly, and I will always be grateful to him. My deepest condolences to Geri and your entire family.

Doug Meslow

August 8, 2018

What an incredible teacher. This man had such energy, enthusiasm and kindness. He truly made a difference in my life. Thank you, Mr. Mares.

Natalie Lindstrom Nelson
Class of 90

CHRIS FOSS

August 8, 2018

Mr. Mares was a great man! Valued colleague of my dad and warm friend of the family! His good-natured energy and humor will always be remembered! My mom and I send our sincerest condolences!--Chris Foss

Jeff Ridlehoover

August 8, 2018

Our world just lost a good one. God Bless, Mr. Mares and family.

Gene Pelowski

August 8, 2018

I still have a working stick craved, stained and finished by Representative Mares when we both served on the House Education Conference Committee. It was a privilege to serve with Representative Mares in the Minnesota House of Representatives.
Representative Gene Pelowski

Cyndee Fields

August 8, 2018

I had the privileged to get to know Harry through my work with the legislature. He was a blessed soul willing to listen to everyone with respect. Thoughts and prayers are with your family!

Greg Smith

August 8, 2018

Dear Mares Family,
We were so sorry to hear of the death of Harry. Even though we did not know him well,we have heard many good stories about him and your family from the neighbors here on Crown Hill Court. Please know that you are all in our prayers. May you feel the comfort and peace that comes from our Savior Jesus Christ. Sincerely, The Greg Smith Family

Julie Wakefield-Benson

August 8, 2018

I was incredibly fortunate to have been taught by Mr Mares. He was an amazing teacher, motivator, mentor. He will not ever be forgotten. Keeping you all in my thoughts.

Michaun Herp

August 8, 2018

Hi this is michaun Herp used to be Ogden we just wanted to give our condolences to mares family at this time the mares family are family to us harry was a great person and I will always miss his wonderful smile and laughter he was a great father and husband and wonderful friend to our family love michaun and Chris herp

Gregg Peppin

August 8, 2018

I had the privilege of working with Harry as a staffer in the MN House of Representatives. He was hard-working, smart, respectful and truly cared for his constituents. He taught me much and will be deeply missed.

L Rinehart

August 8, 2018

Thanks for sharing this wonderful man with the students and athletes at WB

Mike Millington

August 8, 2018

I graduated WBL class of 93. Mr. Mares was one of the best teachers I had. My thoughts and prayers are with the Mares family. Know this, he impacted hundreds if not thousands of lives of young people! God bless.

Showing 1 - 31 of 31 results