Marilyn "Mimi" Deuben Harper

A Celebration of the Life of Marilyn “Mimi” Deuben Harper will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 24 at Plymouth Congregational UCC Church, 4126 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines. After a tragic auto accident, Mimi passed away on September 20 in the presence of and surrounded by the love of her family. Mimi was born 12/23/27 in Des Moines into the family of Florence Adelia (nee Bowen) and Ralph George Deuben (“RG”), and her 2 older brothers, Robert and Richard. The Deuben family owned a grocery brokerage firm and have long been an active part of the Des Moines community. Mimi attended Roosevelt High School, college at William Woods, and graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in Economics. Along the way, she was active within her “B.B.” group and a proud member of Delta Delta Delta Sorority. Mimi married her long-time friend and love Richard (“Dick/Bud”) Harper in 1950. As a part of the Navy and their Coca-Cola family, Mimi and Dick moved around the country throughout their lives together (Minnesota, California, Rhode Island, Illinois, New Hampshire, Colorado, Texas and Georgia). Mimi pursued her own work interests in retail and as a Buyer and Department Manager for Ace Hardware. Following retirement and Dick’s death, she returned to her beloved Des Moines in 1998 where “nothing is more than a 10-minute drive without highways.”

Both during their working lives while raising their family of 3 children and a variety of dogs -- as well as in retirement -- Dick and Mimi traveled extensively. Some of their favorite places included frequent sojourns with family and friends to the sparkling lake waters of Miltona, Minnesota and the beautiful beaches of Maui, Hawaii and St. Simon’s Island, Georgia. Mimi thus collected a nationwide network of beloved friends and family who will gather to celebrate her life.

Mimi continued loving support to her church families in each location. She and Dick were founding members of the United Church of Christ in Marietta, Georgia. She was awarded the “Doctor of Friendship” honor, and church members continue to celebrate their generous giving through the hand-bell choir and stained glass window dedicated by Mimi. Mimi cherished returning to Des Moines to her brothers, sister-in-law and her childhood Plymouth Church.

Living at The Lodge of Ashworth for the past 13 years, she rekindled childhood friendships and warmly welcomed and mentored new residents and friends. She donated her time to many organizations throughout Des Moines, including Living History Farm, Plymouth Church, and the West Des Moines Library. She enjoyed playing bridge and pitch, as well as sharing laughter and memories with friends in her home and at The Lodge’s Friday Frolic celebrations.

She conveyed to her children and grandchildren some of her grand capacity for joy and her sense of creating style in life, and grace in entertaining. Mimi was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Dick and Bob, sister-in-law Gloria and beloved husband Dick. Mimi’s memory and life will be cherished and exemplified (we promise, Mom!) by her daughter Melinda, sons Bill and Scott (and their wives Pamela and Beverly); her 4 grandchildren: Ryan, Logan (and his wife Brittany), Abigail, and Addison; sister-in-law Geraldine Deuben; nephews and nieces, Bob (and Lori) Deuben, Ann (and Jim) Doner, Catherine (and Kris) Fenlason, Karin Smith and their loving families.

Memorial contributions may be made in Mimi’s honor to either Plymouth Congregational Church, Des Moines (www.plymouthchurch.com) or to Donate Life America (www.donatelife.net).

Inurnment will take place at a later date at Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis, Minnesota.