Margaret L. Harper
Margaret L. Harper, 93 of Tipton died at 8:40 p.m. on Saturday, July 27, 2019 at Miller’s Merry Manor in Tipton. She was born in Ft. Wayne on March 14, 1926 to Harold & Hilda (Keen) Fretz, the youngest of three children. She had two brothers Donald and George who she was very close with.
Margaret started school in Ft. Wayne, but moved to Tipton in 1932. She married Lewis Harper on March 24, 1946 and they lived on a farm for 27 ½ years, raising their three children, David, Stephen and Linda. Divorce followed in 1983 after 37 ½ years of marriage.
Margaret became a public accountant and practiced for over 60 years when she retired at the age of 80. She was also a real estate broker and enjoyed traveling. Besides her love of traveling, Margaret loved to read and had hobbies of photography, sewing, ceramics, art classes and making jewelry. She obtained her private pilot’s license in 1969.
She was a member of the Kempton Christian Church, Tri Kappa, Tipton Hospital Auxiliary, Tipton Art Guild and had been one of the founders of the Tipton Community Theatre, of which she was the financial officer for 13 years.
Margaret credited her mother for teaching her about the Lord and taking her to church from an early age which she continued attending the rest of her life. She tried to pass on this love for the Lord to her children and grandchildren.
She was most proud of her three children, David Stephen and Linda and got great pleasure in family gatherings with them. She also loved being with David’s widow Sandy after David died. And she especially loved being with her 10 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.
Margaret is survived by her children, Stephen Harper and wife Lin and Linda Boyer and husband Phil, daughter-in-law Sandy Harper; 10 grandchildren, Cheri Dohse, Andy Harper, Scott Harper, Adam Harper, Jon Harper, Chris Harper, Michael Harper, Colleen Self, Aaron Boyer and Bethany Goshorn-Maroney. Her 18 great-grandchildren are Regan Harper, Kendall Harper, Lily Ann Harper, Grace Ann Harper, Zoey Harper, Mitchell Harper, Landon Harper, Olivia Harper, Dylan Harper, Ryan Harper, Madison Dohse, Allisa Dohse, Don Dohse IV, Aubrey Self, Emmett Self, Adalyn Self, Hattie Self, and step-great-granddaughter Madison Bean. Margaret is also survived by many nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews in Arizona and California.
She was predeceased by her parents, step-father, son David and her two brothers, Judge Donald Fretz and George Fretz.
Margaret’s funeral will be at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, August 2 at Young-Nichols Funeral Home with Richard Sprague, Retired Minister presiding. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00-8:00 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers Margaret’s request was that contributions be made to either Kempton Christian Church, 202 S. West Street, Kempton, Indiana, 46049 or a charity of the donor’s choice.
So sorry to hear this news. She was a very active and unique lady of many talents. Always kind to me.
We will truly miss her. She would always take time to talk to Kathleen and to me especially as the worship service ended and we were all getting ready to leave. Her flower arrangements in our memorial garden at Kempton Christian Church were a wonderful blessing to our front entrance. Kathleen and I were glad to have her count us as her friends. We enjoyed a visit with her in her home last year. I pray you will all find comfort in knowing she has graduated from this life and has the hope of the resurrection to be with the Lord.
I am so sorry for your loss, I always enjoyed helping Margaret when she came into the Tribune office to place her rental house ads. She had a lot of knowledge! She will be missed by many! Thoughts and Prayers to you all!
We are so sorry for your loss! Knowing her through our son Inlaw and daughter she showed much kindness and love.
I am So sorry for your loss , you will all be in my thoughts and prayers
So sorry to see this. She was a good friend to my mother and father. When she moved out of her house on Madison I got her couch which was a 5 cushion huge couch. I’m sure Katie welcomes her with open arms.
So sorry for your loss, may God be with you and your family. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Such a wonderful lady. I remember her well. Growing up, she always taught Sunday school , and helped drive the kids back and forth to church camp. She always kept track of kids as they grew up. When I graduated from high school, she gave me a beautiful book containing Christian poetry, which I still have.to her beautiful family, may the Lord bless and keep you. She well be missed.
Sending our condolences, in your time of loss. Your Dear Mother was such a beautiful lady inside and out. Our Thoughts and Prayers are with you all. 🙏
So sorry for your family’s loss. Keeping all of you in my prayers.
So sorry to hear of your loss. Every time I saw her she was smiling. What a beautiful lady inside and out. So hard to see them go but so blessed that there is no more pain and suffering and they have moved on to their heavenly home. Praying for you and your family Linda. God Bless