Helen Harper

Helen Harper, 98, passed away peacefully in her sleep February 3, 2017. She was born on June 19, 1918 in Beverly, Illinois, the daughter of Edward and Edith (Triplett) Mixer. 

After her father died she spend the rest of her early years in an orphanage. Helen graduated from Hamilton, Illinois High School and started college at Western Illinois State College, working her way through as a waitress. She later graduated from Fort Hayes Teachers College. In 1939, she married Robert Lee Harper. They had four children, Robert Stephen, Stephanie Sue, Patricia Ann and William Robert.

Bob and Helen made their way from Illinois to California in the 1940’s where she worked at the Warner Brothers commissary. Then on to Colorado for a short time before settling in Dodge City in 1952.

Helen spent her life working in the field of education teaching 25 years in the Dodge City system. She taught grades K,2,4-6, reading specialist at the junior high level, and also taught reading methods on the college level. She served on the Dodge City school board and remained an activist for education well into her 90’s.

She was a member of the Kansas Genealogical Society and the Retired Teachers of Kansas.

Survivors include her daughters, Sue Heiland and husband Fred of Spearville and Pat Sullivan and husband Jerry of Grove, Oklahoma; her son Bob and wife Robyn of Hollywood Florida; 10 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. Preceding her in death were her parents, her husband, Bob Harper, a son, Steve Harper, one brother and two sisters.

Funeral service will be held at Swaim Funeral Home, Dodge City on Tuesday February 7, 2017 at 10:30 AM with Mr. Jeff Hiers presiding. Burial will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery in Dodge City. Visitation will be at Swaim Funeral Home on Monday February 6, 2017 from 12:00 PM. Memorials are suggested to the Kansas Genealogical Society in care of the funeral home. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.