Glenda Gayle Harper

Glenda Gayle Boyd was born November 20, 1937, in Houston, Texas to Grover and Eunice (Strange) Boyd. She grew up in Burlingame, Kansas where she attended school, graduating from Burlingame High School in 1956. Growing up, Glenda was active in the school band and enjoyed gardening. Glenda married Edwin Lee Dunn, Sr. on September 1, 1957, at the Federated Church in Burlingame, Kansas, and to this union, two sons were born: Edwin “Lee” Dunn, Jr. and Earl Linn Dunn. The couple would divorce in 1980. Glenda married Robert “Bob” Harper Jr. on January 14, 1981, at the Little Brown Church in Golden, Colorado. The couple spent many happy years together until Bob’s passing on May 31, 2017. Throughout her life, Glenda has made her home in Burlingame, Emporia, Brewster and Salina, Kansas and most recently in Omaha, Nebraska. Glenda held a few different jobs while living in Burlingame. She worked at her parents’ Five and Dime store, she candled the eggs at the Burlingame grocery store, and she worked at the Burlingame State bank. She also stayed active with a variety of clubs and volunteer groups. She was a room mother for her two boys, was part of the BETA study club and the extension club, was part of the American Legion Auxiliary and the Jolly Janes and was a big part of getting the Brewster Library started. Glenda was a strong, independent, stubborn and loving woman who cherished being a wife, mom, a grandmother, and a G.G. In her spare time, she enjoyed crocheting, quilting, sewing, antiquing, and going to flea markets and garage sales. Her favorite color was blue, and she was fond of yellow roses and white daisies. She was a fan of the Nebraska Cornhuskers and looked forward to a fried chicken dinner or a nice glass of wine. She noted that one of her fondest memories was her senior trip to Washington D.C., and was known for saying, “I never knew what I could not do, because I was willing to try”. Glenda was true to her friends and her family, and she wouldn’t sugar-coat anything. She loved her family no matter where they were. Her faith in Jesus was a central part of her life. Glenda passed away at her home in Omaha, Nebraska on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the age of 88 years, 4 months and 4 days. She was preceded in death by her husband Robert “Bob” Harper Jr., her parents Grover and Eunice Boyd, son Earl “Bubba” Dunn and grandson Ryann Lee Dunn. Glenda is survived by her son Lee, and his wife Norma Dunn of Omaha, stepdaughter Mary & her husband David Bowman of Hayes, Kansas, daughter in-law Leesa Dunn, 9 grandchildren: Chad Kalisek, Steven & Heather Kalisek, Miranda & Todd Jackson, Whitney & A.J. Bayerl, Nathan & Brittany Dunn, Brandie & David Hornig, J.R. & Linda Hahn, Joe Dunn, and Abby & Tyler Reed, 23 great grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren, and her sisters Joan & Gary Runyan of Omaha, and Diana Boyd of Osage, Kansas and many nieces and nephew. A Celebration of Life service for Glenda will be held Saturday, May 2 beginning at 11 AM at Reichmuth Funeral Home, Elkhorn, NE. Following the celebration, there will be a light lunch and a time to visit and share stories with the family. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Open Door Mission or Fresh Start for All Nations Ministry.

Glenda Gayle Harper

November 20, 1937 - March 24, 2026