Patricia Ann Harper

Patricia Ann Harper passed away January 24, 2011 at home in Fort Collins after losing a long battle with leukemia. She was born the youngest of three girls to Hugh S. and Blanche V. Kennedy on April 23, 1936 in Des Moines, IA. She attended public school in Des Moines and following her graduation from Roosevelt HS in 1954, she continued her education at Iowa State University. She received her BS degree in 1958 in Food and Nutrition with a major in Dietetics. Immediately after graduation she married Judson M. Harper whom she had known since age 10. They lived in Ames, IA while he attended graduate school and she worked as a dietitian in the Boone County Hospital, Boone, IA. In 1964, she moved to Minneapolis, MN when her husband took a research position with General Mills, Inc. In 1970, her family moved to Fort Collins when her husband joined the CSU engineering faculty. In addition to keeping busy raising three sons, she became involved with the university, the boy's schools and church where she formed many long term friends. In 1978, the family went on a year long sabbatical in Israel, an experience which heightened her interest in international travel, different cultures and new adventures. When her boys became older, she returned to work outside the home serving in clerical positions for a travel agency and for Shelter Care, a youth services organization. Pat was a wonderful wife and partner of 52 years, always supportive of her family's interests and needs. She was a loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother giving encouragement and support that molded young lives. She was a member of the CSU Women's Association, Delta Zeta Alumnae, Fort Collins Service League and the Iowa State University Alumni Association. Music was a special enjoyment and she attended the Fort Collins Symphony and other musical events. CSU athletics was an interest and she attended most of the CSU football, volleyball, and basketball games along with the special trips to bowl games and tournaments as a Ram Fan. As a member of the First United Methodist Church for over 40 years, she participated on many committees, was a Stephen Minister and an active participant in the Women of Worth group. Pat loved to walk and her routine was to meet a friend and take a three mile walk nearly every morning, weather permitting. International travel was a special interest and she enjoyed trips with her husband and a sister to locations around the world. Closer to home, she loved camping in the family's travel trailer, automobile trips, spending time at the family cabin near Winter Park, playing bridge, reading a good book, book clubs, playing games with her grandchildren and solving crossword puzzles. Pat is survived by her husband, Judson of Fort Collins; her son Jayson and wife Marilyn of State College, PA; son Stuart and wife Sally of Lancaster, WI and son Neal and wife Karolyn of New Castle, CO; her six grandchildren Paul and wife Megan of Greensboro, NC; Thomas and wife Valerie of Buffalo, NY; Matthew of Madison, WI and Erin of Lancaster, WI and Cole and Gage of New Castle, CO; and one great granddaughter, Kennedy of Greensboro, NC. She was preceded in death by her two older sisters, Frances Short and Phyllis Miller. A service to celebrate her life will be held at First United Methodist Church, 1005 Stover St. at 11:00am on Saturday, February 5, 2011 in the church's sanctuary followed by a reception at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations to her memory can be made to the Food Bank for Larimer County, CSUF for the Colorado State University Women's Association General Scholarship Fund, the Fort Collins Symphony Orchestra Association or the charity of your choice in care of the Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 West Olive, Fort Collins, CO 80524.

Tributes

Patricia Ann Harper

January 24, 2011 - January 24, 2011