HARPER, Harriette Edith

The Verde Independent, Cottonwood, Arizona, Tuesday, January 08, 2013 Harriette Edith Hansel Harper, 82 years old, who resided in Camp Verde, AZ, since 1996, died on December 20, 2012, in Boulder City, NV, due to complications of pneumonia. Harriette was born June 4, 1930, in Prescott, AZ, the daughter of Robert Hansel and Christine Fritsche. Harriette grew up on her grandfather’s HW Fritsche ranch in Chino Valley, AZ, instilling in her a lifelong love of horses. Harriette married James Bennett Harper (who predeceased her in 1984) and they had three children: Susan, Jerry (who predeceased Harriette in 2001), and Charlene. Harriette and Jim lived in California until they moved to Colorado in 1966 to a 5-acre farm, which was a host to a menagerie of animals (horses, calves, chickens, turkeys, ducks, a goose, a donkey, a rabbit, and a raccoon). Harriette was an active member of the Daughters of American Revolution (as was her grandmother, Sydney Fritsche). Harriette served as the Organizing Regent of the Front Range Chapter in Colorado. Harriette sold her place in Colorado and moved to Camp Verde where she continued to raise and race horses. Harriette loved to play cards, bingo, and dominoes -- a passion she passed on to her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Harriette was an avid reader and enjoyed traveling worldwide. Harriette will be missed by friends and family alike. She is survived by daughters, Susan Harper and Charlene Harper Novak (John), six grandchildren: Timothy Harper, Anthony Novak (Ashley), Angela Harper Peralta (Pete), Scott Novak (Jana), Stacey Novak Jones (Chris) and Claire Novak. Harriette is also survived by twelve great grandchildren: Marques, Katalina, Christopher, Janna, Diego, Catherine, Tiffani, Jacob, Christian, Cooper, Caleb, and Brecken. A memorial of Harriette will be held at the Camp Verde Senior Center located at 263 Maryvale, on January 20, 2013 at 2 p.m. All are welcome. Information provided by family members. Information provided by survivors.