Judy Harper

Judith Agnes (Wilhite) Harper was born March 31, 1941 in Kearney, Nebraska to Everett LeRoy and Genevieve Marie (Hughes) Wilhite. Judy attended school in Kearney through the 8th grade, went to Superior Public Schools, and graduated from Nebraska City High School. She went on to receive her Bachelor of Arts in Speech Therapy from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln and later earned her Masters in Speech Pathology from UN-L.

On August 11, 1963 Judy was united in marriage to Charles H. Harper at the United Methodist Church in Nebraska City, Nebraska. They would be blessed with three children: Tracy Elizabeth, Charles Harold, Jr., and James Brian.

Judy was an educator for many years in Nebraska schools. She started the Speech Therapy Program in Saunders County while teaching there. She next helped patients with their speech therapy at Tabitha Rehabilitation Center in Lincoln. Judy returned to the public schools setting as a Speech Pathologist with E.S.U. #4 in Auburn, Nebraska and then Johnson County Central Schools in Tecumseh and Cook.

A longtime Methodist, Judy was a member of the United Methodist Church in Brock, Nebraska. She also belonged to PEO Chapter DB in Auburn, PEO Chapter AU in Peru, and the Autism Society of Nebraska. On March 16, 2006 Judy received the Friend of Autism Award from the Nebraska Autism Spectrum Disorder Network. She was a Husker football fanatic and enjoyed cheering on the team. Judy liked to travel with Chet and other family as well. Mostly though, Judy loved spending time with her family and enjoying her grandkids.

After living for many years in Auburn Judy and Chet moved to Norfolk, Nebraska. It was at their home in Norfolk, with family around her, that Judy passed away on Tuesday, May 21, 2019 at the age of 78 years, 1 month, and 20 days. Her parents preceded her in death.

Judy will be forever loved and remembered by her husband Chet of Norfolk; daughter and son-in-law Tracy and Eric McFall of Fair Lawn, OH; sons and daughters-in-law Chap and Camille Harper of Norfolk; Brian and Jennifer Harper of League City, TX; grandchildren Garrett, Ellie, and Maggie McFall; Hailey, Evan, Chloe, and Kendall Harper; Ethan and Carleigh Harper; sister and brother-in-law Mary Jane and Ernie Hines of Lincoln; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Barbara and John Parks of Clovis, CA; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

A funeral service will be Tuesday, May 28, 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Brock. Burial will follow in Sheridan Cemetery at Auburn. Visitation will be at the funeral home Monday 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., with family greeting friends 4:00 to 6:00.

Memorials are suggested to the Autism Society of Nebraska.