Harry L. Harpster Jr., 88
Harry L. Harpster Jr., 88, passed away on Friday, March 26, 2010, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center in Kalispell. He was born on June 15, 1921, in Burley, Idaho, to Harry L. and Ruth (Warner) Harpster Sr. He attended grade school and high school in Burley. Afterward, he worked with his father and brother Willard in the family bakery. During World War II he served his country in the U.S. Army Signal Corps from 1942 until 1945, where he attained the rank of sergeant. Following his discharge, he returned to the family business in Burley. In 1948, he met the love of his life in Salt Lake City, Beverly Lorraine Maxwell. They were married in Elko, Nev., in 1949 and established their home in Burley. Harry and Beverly were blessed with a son, Robert, in August of 1960. Robert was their shining light and brought much joy to both their lives. Harry took up a new career in 1954 with the U.S. Department of Agriculture aerial photography field office in Salt Lake City, where he could pursue his talent of photography and film development. Harry continued this career until he retired in 1981 and moved to the Many Lakes area of Kalispell. Throughout their married life, they pursued and developed, to a high degree, their hobbies of painting and photography; Beverly in watercolor painting, and Harry in backcountry and wildlife photography. After their retirement, these hobbies became a full-time passion. Their involvement with these hobbies led them to develop a very deep interest in Indian culture, which they incorporated into their paintings and photographs. They were regular attendees at Indian functions throughout Montana and Canada. Harry was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Beverly; and his son, Robert; also his brother, Willard; and sister, Carol. He is now survived by five grandchildren, Amanda, Bethany, Corie, Debra and Emily, all of Salt Lake City. He is also survived by his special friends, Steve and Darlene Morgan of Bigfork, and Norman and Annabel Petty of Kalispell; as well as several nieces and nephews, and brothers and sisters-in-law. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, April 1, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Bigfork, with burial to follow at Lonepine Cemetery, next to his wife Beverly. There is no visitation. The family suggests memorials be sent to the Lupus Foundation of America, Utah Chapter, Inc., 455 East 500 South, Garden Level 2, Salt Lake City, UT 84111. Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Harry s family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and view Harry s tribute wall.