Judith R. Harper, 86, of Conway Springs, passed away Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, at Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice Via Christi St. Francis, Wichita.
Judy was born April 22, 1938, in Wichita to March Herbert Berger and Mary Blanche (Reder) Berger. She moved with her family from a farm east of the city to northwest Wichita at the age of 5 years. She attended Wichita public schools and graduated from Wichita North High School with the class of 1956. She continued her education at Wichita State University and received an associate of applied science degree in secretarial training in 1958.
Judy was united in marriage to Maurice Ray Harper on Aug. 3, 1958, in Wichita. To this union three children were born: Kevin, Lesa and Janelle. The family moved to Conway Springs in 1966.
Judy began working as the secretary for the divisional manager of Kansas Gas and Electric. Soon thereafter, Maurice was awarded a full scholarship to Wisconsin State College and Institute of Technology, which took the family from the community for a full year and two summers. The family returned to Conway Springs where Judy became a secretary at Kyle Trueblood Elementary school, and later secretary in the district office under Jackson Winters. She also served as a secretary at Conway Springs High School.
In 1977, Judy and Maurice purchased Meil’s Hardware Store in Conway Springs, where they remodeled and expanded their line of goods while keeping the “old hardware store” image in their operation. Ultimately, all seven of their grandchildren were officially weighed on the nail scale, as well as half of the babies in Conway Springs. They later purchased the Cline’s Market building in 1986 and established the “Soda Shoppe,” which they operated seasonally until their retirement in 2000.
Judy was an active volunteer in the Conway Springs community. She served as an EMT on the Conway Springs Volunteer Ambulance Service, and was active and a past president of the Conway Springs Chamber of Commerce. She served many roles in the Chamber of Commerce and Conway Springs Fall Festival. 
Judy also was involved with the Sumner County CASA Program, where she actively assisted as a court appointed special advocate for children in need of care. She and Maurice also hosted a high school foreign exchange student in 1985.
Judy was a member of United Methodist Church for 60 years and had served on various committees though the years. Judy also was the church secretary and was director of Volunteer in Missions for the Kansas West Conference. In 1997, Judy and Maurice took their first mission trip to Africa to put down water wells. Upon their return, they became members of a mission volunteer group that took them to Peru and to Mexico twice. They also volunteered in food preparation following Hurricane Katrina and worked in the local free dental care program known as the Mission of Mercy in many parts of Kansas.
Judy was preceded in death by her parents and one sister, Jennie Berger.
She is survived by her husband, Maurice Harper; her three children, Kevin Harper and wife Cari of Valley Center, Lesa Kjellberg and husband Mike of Maize, and Janelle Harper of Conway Springs; her foster son, Kenny Chunga of Africa; her grandchildren, Kyle Harper and wife Kalista, Jillian Runyan and husband Mason, Stephanie Mendenhall and husband Derek, Trevor Kjellberg and wife Jessica, Tyler Martin and wife Ashley, Brooke Goering and husband Avery, and Brett Martin and wife Bailey; seven great-grandchildren, Trenton, Raelyn, Madelyn, Hallie, Braxton, Alivia and Aria; and a number of other relatives and many friends. 
Funeral service will be conducted at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, at the Conway Springs Methodist Church, Conway Springs. Interment will be in Spring Hill Cemetery, Conway Springs. 
Ebersole Mortuary, Conway Springs, is in charge of arrangements. Online guest book and condolences are available at www.ebersolemortuary.com. 
A memorial has been established with the Conway Springs Methodist Church.