Muriel Harper, of North Platte, died at Centennial Park Retirement Village on Friday, July 24, 2020, at the age of 101.
Muriel was born at Linwood, Nebraska, to Fred and Anna Thomas on December 16, 1918. She grew up in Linwood where she attended the Congregational Church and graduated from high school in 1937. Muriel then moved to Omaha to attend Cosmetology School and after she was done she bought a beauty shop in David City.
Through Muriel’s job she met John Harper and the two were united in marriage on April 13, 1941, in Linwood. Since John worked for the U.P. Railroad, the couple made their home in North Platte. They had three children, John ‘Jack’, Bob and Diane, and Muriel stayed home with the kids but continued to do hair for her friends.
The Harper family enjoyed spending time together, fishing and camping. Muriel and John also enjoyed gardening, he gardened and she did the canning, and they loved dancing. Muriel also liked following the Huskers and loved cooking, baking and making peanut brittle.
Many people loose their health or memory as they get old, but not Muriel, her memory was sharp and her health was great due to her good genes and daily crossword puzzles. Muriel always wanted to live to be 100, and she did better than that and was very fortunate to live as long as she did!
Muriel was a member of U.T.U. Auxiliary Twin Rivers Lodge, U.P. Old Timers, and Order of Eastern Star Chapter #20 in David City for over 60 years.
She was preceded in death by her husband, John, and their son, John; son-in-law, Kim McNeel; her parents, Fred and Anna Thomas; brothers, Fredrick and Conrad Thomas; and sisters, Elaine Tiller and Betty Bartunek.
Muriel is survived by her children, Diane McNeel, of Littleton, CO, and Bob (Pat) Harper, of Hershey; grandchildren, Tami (David) Noe, Kerry (Mitch) Palin, Krista (Josh) Banks and Jay McNeel; great-grandchildren, Adam, Sean, Nolan and Gwyn; great great-grandkids, Savanah, Harper and Aiden; as well as other family.
Cremation was chosen and due to current circumstances, services will be held at a later date. The memorial book may be signed at odeanchapel.com or at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore, which is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Fur the Love of Paws.