Dolores Harper's Obituary
Dolores Lucille Harper went to rest with the Lord on November 12, 2018 at the age of 87. Dolores was born to John & Lucille Kuper on July 1, 1931 at Tacoma General Hospital. She spent her childhood playing and working on her family farm in the Fredrickson area playing with her siblings Wesley (Sonny), Jack (Jackie) & Christine.
After graduating from Puyallup High School in 1949, she attended Modern Beauty Academy in Tacoma to pursue a career. After graduating from beauty school in 1950, she traveled to Colorado where she met Charles Harper. The two of them were married in Raton, New Mexico in August of 1951 and then moved to Tacoma, Washington to start their family. Together, they welcomed their three children Chris, Sue & Mike.
Charles & Dolores settled in Auburn to raise their family and purchased a home where they raised chickens, cattle and had a garden. Dolores supported her family by raising her children, taking care of her home and working various jobs to financially contribute for her loved ones. Her family was important to her and she enjoyed hosting many holidays including Christmas when, at times, she would have over 10 people stay in her home. She enjoyed volunteer work and served as the Vice-President of her children’s schools P.T.A. and enjoyed being involved in their education.
Dolores provided for herself working in skilled nursing facilities as a cook in the Auburn area. She enjoyed knowing that she was helping people who were in need of assistance by making them meals that they would enjoy.
After Dolores retired, she was able to enjoy her hobbies. She was a true Northwest girl who loved this area and so much about it. She loved rooting for the Mariners, visiting Mt. Rainier, daffodils and spending time with her family & friends who all remained in the area. Even in retirement, she enjoyed working including helping her family, friends and working at the voting polls. Dolores was dedicated to making sure that each grandchild had portraits done twice a year so that they could have something to look back at of themselves and remember her by. In her later years, photos of her family were very special to her and she treasured every single one.
Dolores was survived by her children Chris (Joe) Lejman, Sue (Terry) Lueck, Mike (Connie) Harper & Jack (Jackie) Kuper. She left 8 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. Dolores was predeceased by her parents John & Lucille Kuper, sister Christine Kuper & brother Wesley Kuper.
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