Mrs. Wm. Harper, 35, was found dead in her bed apparently the victim of a heart attack.

#2-Obituary printed in the May 31, 1945 Pilot-Tribune, Blair, Nebraska

Mother of Five Taken by Death

STRICKEN IN NIGHT, MRS. HARPER WAS FOUND BY HER CHILDREN

Mrs. William R. Harper, 38 year-old Kennard housewife and mother of five children, did not awaken Tuesday morning, although her infant son, Sammy, was crying lustily. The older children tried to comfort the baby, and then tried to awaken their mother.

After several unsuccessful attempts, the children went to the home of a neighbor for help. Then it was learned that Mrs. Harper, in poor health for some time, had died during the night. It is believed that a heart attack was responsible for her death.

The husband and father, P 1/c William Harper, is believed to be either stationed in San Diego, Calif., or somewhere in the Pacific Theater. Funeral arrangements are being delayed as the family carries out desperate efforts to reach the Navy man.

Bendorf Funeral Home will have charge of the funeral.

As Pearl Wilderson, the deceased woman was born on November 6, 1906, at Florence, Nebr. During early childhood she moved, with her parents, to Kennard, and there she completed 12 years of schooling. She was married in 1924 to William Harper, also of Kennard.

Five children, four of whom still live at home, were born to their union. They are Mrs. Melvin Hansen (nee Patty Lou Harper) of Omaha; and Gwen Lee, Joanne, Billy Jr. and Sammy. One grandchild also survives. Other relatives left to mourn Mrs. Harper’s untimely passing are nine brothers and sisters, her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wilderson of Kennard, and other distant relatives and friends. The brothers and sisters are Charles of California; Chester of the army, on furlough in San Francisco after overseas duty; William, a prisoner of the Japanese since the capture of Wake Island, now believed to be held on Honshu Island; Mrs. Jay Stewart of Kennard; Mrs. Herbert Jones of Ft. Calhoun; Mrs. George Jackson of Blair; Mrs. Marie Teeters and Mrs. Harry Helmsing of Omaha.

#3-31 May, 1945 - The Enterprise

MRS. WM. HARPER OF KENNARD DIES SUDDENLY

Mother of 5 Children Is Found Dead In Bed. Apparently Heart Attack

Mrs. William Harper, about 35 years of age and a resident of Kennard, was found dead in bed Tuesday morning. She had gone to bed as usual after the children had been put to bed, and her death was not discovered until in the morning after the children awoke.

The husband, William Harper, F1c, of the U.S. Navy at San Diego, California, has been notified, but at this time he has not been contacted, although the Navy officials are doing their utmost to locate him.

Mrs. Harper, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wilkerson of Kennard, has spent her entire life in that community. Besides the husband and parents, five children are left of the immediate family - Mrs. Melvin Hansen of Ralston, Gwen Lee, JoAnn, Billie and Sammy, at home.

Besides these, five sisters, Mrs. Jay Stewart of Kennard; Mrs. Harry Helmsing, Mrs. Lawrence Peeters, Mrs. Herb Jones, and Mrs. Ernie Ruff, all of Omaha; and Mrs. George Jackson of Blair; and three brothers, Charles, Jr. in California, William in a Japanese prison camp and Chester, who has been in the south Pacific since 1941, mourn her sad death deeply.

As yet, no funeral arrangements have been made, awaiting news from the husband.

~~~Obituaries courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair, Nebraska Public Library~~~

Find a Grave Memorial #26385269

Note: Buried in Blk 1 Lt 8 Sp 3; Find a Grave Memorial 26385269