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.