Marie Harper

Marie Harper passed away on February 13, 2014 at Presence St. Joseph Center, Freeport after a long struggle with Parkinson's Disease. Marie was born May 11, 1929 in Gladstone, Michigan to Harry and Ella (Christensen) Erickson. She graduated from Gladstone High School in 1947 and received a two year degree in Christian Education from Trinity College (now Trinity International University) in 1950. She moved to Freeport in 1956 to work as church secretary at First Baptist Church. In her later years she worked as a claims transcriber at Economy/St. Paul Insurance (now MetLife) retiring in 1994. She married Robert C. Harper November, 12, 1962 in Rockford. She was a charter member of Park Hills Evangelical Free Church where she was active with choir, Sunday School, Women's Ministries and played the organ. After retirement she enjoyed singing with the JOYSingers for several years. Marie loved music, especially praising the Lord with song. Survived by her daughter Janella (Matthew) Herbig of Rockford, IL, her sisters-in-law Pat Erickson of Freeport and Margit Erickson of Escanaba, MI and many nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by her husband, her parents, one sister and five brothers. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday February 18, 2014 at Park Hills Evangelical Free Church with Pastor Mark Balmer officiating. Visitation will be held from 10:00 until the time of service at the church. Burial will take place at Oakland Cemetery. A memorial has been established in her memory. The family would like to thank the staff at Presence St. Joseph Center for all the great care over the years. Please visit www.burketubbs.com to sign her online guestbook and to share memories.