Eleanor Marie Harper, loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother, born on, October 10, 1917, passed away peacefully at the age of 92, at the Southside Mabie Center on March 4, 2010.
Born to Julia and Arthur Gehrig in Champaign, Ill, she moved to Pasadena, CA. at the age of 2. She attended Pasadena City College, USC, UCLA, and Pepperdine University, where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Education, in 1940. Her love for children drew her to a long teaching career at various locations in Southern California.
On March 16, 1947, she married Charles Harper, started a family in Villa Park and then moved to La Habra. Eleanor’s love of the outdoors was evidenced through camping, hiking, backpacking, and horseback riding. She made numerous hikes to the top of Yosemite’s Half Dome, even into her seventies.
After her teaching career, she moved to Hollister in 1978, to be near her daughter and first grandchild. Selling Shaklee products from her home became a large part of her healthy life style. Church activities as well as community volunteering have always been her passion due to her love for the Lord. One of her greatest joys was watching baseball and loved cheering on her grandchildren in all their various sporting activities.
All who knew Eleanor were touched by her sincerity, reverence to God, and selflessness. Eleanor was very proud of her family, and her grandchildren and great- grandchildren were her pride and joy. She will truly be missed by all.
Eleanor is survived by her children Marlys Harper (Mike) of Bridgeport, CA, Sher Berkus (Michael) of Villa Park, CA, Trisha Brem (Rich) of Hollister, CA, Denise Briganti (Mel) of Hollister, CA, and Tim Harper (Lisa) of Costa Mesa, CA.
Her grandchildren are Lolita Harper, Nate, Steven, Dan, and Bob Berkus, Ryan and Eric Brem, Michael, David, and Jonathan Briganti, and Aaron, Rachel and Leah Harper. Her great-grandchildren are Donavan Sermons, Jaylen and Nathan Peraza, Kate Berkus, and Caden Berkus.
A memorial service took place at the First Presbyterian Church of Hollister, where her friends and family celebrated her life on Saturday, March 6, 2010. Donations may be made to the Hollister Church of Christ, 620 Monterey Street, for missions in memory of Eleanor Harper.
