Wellington “Wimpy” Harper

Wellington “Wimpy” Boyle Harper, 74, of Cass Lake, died Thursday, May 26, 2011, at his home.

The funeral will be Tuesday, May 31, at the Veteran’s Memorial Building in Cass Lake. A wake will begin Monday afternoon at the Veteran’s Memorial Building and will continue until the time of service. Burial will be Episcopal Cemetery in Onigum under the direction of the Cease Family Funeral Home of Cass Lake.

Pallbearers will be Marvin Hanson, Tom Fairbanks, Jeff Harper, Alden “A.J.” Fairbanks, Henry Sutton, Brett Nevitt and Pete Cloud.

Honorary pallbearers will be Clyde Tibbetts, Glen Fisher Sr., Alma Lumbar, Manny Sargent, Nancy Fairbanks, Nancy Johnson, Tom Hare, George Rea, Calvin White and friends and family.

He was born Nov. 19, 1936, to John and Mattie (Soreyes) Harper Sr. in Cass Lake. He was raised and educated in Cass Lake, graduating from Cass Lake High School in 1954. He was a Golden Gloves boxer for several years. He worked as a journeyman in the roofing and sheetrock trade. He lived in Riverside, Calif., for three years, Denver for two years and Chicago for a year. He moved to Minneapolis in the 1970s, working for many companies including Fairbanks Trucking. He retired in 1990 due to an injury. He moved back to Cass Lake in 1997 and had lived there since. He enjoyed watching sports. He loved the outdoors and riding in the country.

He is survived by two sons, Marlin Harper of Bemidji and Derrick (Lisa Monroe) Harper of Cass Lake; daughter Sharlene (Brett Nevitt) Harper of Cass Lake; 11 grandchildren; numerous great grandchildren; three brothers, Francis Harper of White Bear Lake, Minn., Henry Harper of Cass Lake, Colin “Corky” Harper of Minneapolis; step granddaughter whom he helped raise, Karla Roberts of Minneapolis; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Colin Harper; daughter, Deborah Harper; four brothers, Roger, Charles, Dennis and John Harper Jr.; and longtime companion Delores ”Sue” Sargent.

Messages of condolence may be left online at ceasefuneralhome.com.