Edna Harper

Edna (Mae) Erle Harper 8/21/1920 – 1/13/2019

Edna (Mae) Erle Harper was born Edna Erle Roberts in Beaumont, California to Joseph and Edna Roberts on August 21st 1920.  She was the youngest child of four, preceded by Harold, Doris and Katheryn, her siblings.  Edna continued living in the Beaumont/ Redlands area until after her graduation from High School, where she met Ralph who was attending a local college.

Edna married Ralph Edgar Harper on April 13th 1941.  They moved to San Diego where Ralph was hired as an Aeronautical Engineer with Consolidated Aircraft (later to become Convair then General Dynamics).  Edna and Ralph adopted a boy (Bob) in 1954 and a daughter (Susan) in 1956.  Her family enjoyed days at the beach, many yearly trailer camping trips and an annual trip to Disneyland. They traveled to most of the states in the western U.S., Mexico and Canada. Pacific Beach and La Jolla, suburbs of San Diego remained home until Ralph’s retirement from General Dynamics in 1975.

Edna and Ralph moved to Jerome after retirement, where they built a house and discovered Square Dancing. 

In 1978 Ralph’s old job called him back to work and sent Edna and him to Holland for 2 years to supervise the assembly of F-16 fighters for NATO.  They enjoyed traveling almost every weekend and visited all of the western European countries during their stay.

They returned to Jerome to resume their favorite pastimes of Square Dancing and Camping.  Edna and Ralph eventually moved to Twin Falls where they remained. After 68 years of marriage, the love of Edna’s life, passed away in 2009.

Edna continued on, living independently and even driving until her 98th birthday, enjoying the company of her children Bob Harper (Toni Harper), Susan Garces (James Garces) and grandchildren Kiley Blake (Jessi Mae Wilson), Chris Harper (Char Harper), Joseph Harper (Katie Harper) and Colter Henderson.  Seeking a new experience, Edna moved to Bridgeview Estates in December and met many nice people.  She was looking forwarded to many years with her new friends, but a fall resulted in a sudden decline in her health.   Edna passed away on January 13th, 2019 with her family by her side.  Edna lived an exciting and memory-filled life.  She made many friends and will be missed by all.

We wish to thank the staffs at Bridgeview Estates and Visions Hospice for their professional and passionate care, allowing Edna’s passing to be in comfort.