Amy Ruth Harper Taylor 1903-1993

TAYLOR COATE HARPER

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 1/19/2010 at 22:44:52

Onawa Democrat
18 November 1993

Amy Ruth Harper Taylor (widow of Charles A.), 90, of 2039 South Street, Lincoln, NE. former Moorhead resident died Wednesday, November 3, 1993.

She was born May 3, 1903 in Monona County, Iowa. Her birth was celebrated by her parents Bert and Virginia (Coate) Harper and her two sisters Myrtle and Gladys. Their family was completed ten years later with the arrival of the youngest child, Ronald.

Amy grew up in the Moorhead, Iowa area where her parents engaged in farming and raising livestock. It was evident in early childhood that she excelled in her school work and was fascinated by the world of Music. Education and music were to play a major role in her life.

Amy was a graduate of the Moorhead School system in 1921. She attended the University of Iowa for two years, where she majored in elementary education and music. She was a member of Alpha Omicron Pi sorority and an active member of various organizations in her church.

Returning to her hometown, she began her life -long teaching career in both the Moorhead area and the West Harrison school system.

On January 26th 1926 Amy was married to Charles A. Taylor at the Christian Church Parsonage in Onawa, Iowa. They began house-keeping in a tenant house on her parent’s farm, northeast of Moorhead. A few years later, they were blessed with the birth of their daughter, Betty Ellen. In 1935, Betty was joined by a baby brother, James Allen who’s life was unfortunately cut short after three brief weeks.

In the late 1930’s, the Taylor family moved into town, starting a local trucking service. Charles did the trucking, while Amy was the bookkeeper, dispatcher and home-maker. In her spare time, she gave music lessons and served as the church pianist and organist.

With the beginning of World War II, Amy resumed her teaching career. Due to the wartime shortage of teachers, married women were now allowed to pursue their original profession. She taught in the Moorhead Public School system, the rural schools in the area, and spent many years in the West Harrison School system before she retired in 1968.

Retirement gave her more time to enjoy tatting and crocheting as well as her many other craft projects. Music always continued to be a focal point in her life.

A few years after Charles’ death in 1980, she moved to Syracuse, NE to be near her daughter and family. She received much pleasure during the next few years spending time with her grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Her final home was in Lincoln with her daughter and family. God took her to her final rest at the age of 90 years and six months.

Survivors include; one daughter, Betty Smith Schwartman, Lincoln, NE; one brother, Donald R Harper, Portland, Oregon; grandchildren; Cindy and Dan Smith, Plymouth, MN; Deb and Jim Kemerling; Becky and Dan Detore, Vicki Smith; Penny Smith; Marcie & Vel Garnett; Jim Schwartman, all of Lincoln, Nebraska; Jenny DeBerg, Hastings, NE; Dave and Jenn Smith, Yukon, OK; four step-grandchildren; twenty great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Sylvia Perrin Frost, Shelby, Iowa; brother-in-law, Euel Brandenberg, Council Bluffs, Iowa; nieces, nephews and cousins.

Amy was preceded in death by her husband, Charles; a son James, her parents and her two sisters.

A prayer service was held at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at Roper & Sons Mortuary, Lincoln, NE; Funeral Services were held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, at the First Christian Church, Moorhead, Iowa, with interment at the Spring Valley Cemetery, rural Moorhead. Memorials may be made to the First Christian Church, Moorhead, Syracuse United Methodist Church, Syracuse, NE or the Arthritis Foundation.