Felicia E. Harter

Windsor Heights

Felicia Elaine Harter, 88, a long-time resident of Windsor Heights, IA, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 3, 2015 at Taylor House Hospice in Des Moines. Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Friday, August 7, 2015 at McLaren’s Chapel in West Des Moines with visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial will take place at Resthaven Cemetery.

Felicia was born June 13, 1927 to Robert and Mildred (Rains) Saylor in Pulaski, IA. She was one of ten children and attended Pulaski High School.

She married Willis Harter in 1943 and celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary before Willis’ death in 1993.When Willis returned from the war, they co-owned a restaurant with her brother-in-law, Wilbur in Belle Plaine, IA and also had a restaurant in downtown Des Moines, IA. Felicia attended beauty school and operated a beauty shop in the basement of her home. She also helped run Willis’ moving company, Rocket Transfer, and later became a homemaker and joined West Des Moines Christian Church.

Her hobbies included playing bridge, traveling, bowling and eating dinner with friends at Baker’s Cafeteria in Windsor Heights. Felicia loved spending time with her grandchildren whether it was going to their performances and sporting events, playing cards, singing songs or watching the same movie with them over and over again.

Felicia is survived by her daughter, Cindy Dixon and son-in-law Chris Dixon of West Des Moines; two grandchildren, Nicole (Jeff) McBride of Grimes and Ryan Dixon of West Des Moines; great-grandchildren, Savannah and Jacob McBride; brother-in-law, Wilbur Harter of Clive; sisters-in-law, Gertrude Saylor of Arkansas and Betty Oveson of Moscow; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; four brothers, Robert, Gene, John and James Saylor; and five sisters, Nona Hill, Lorena Wildman, Effie Hammer, Lola Knupp and Marjorie Conner.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Taylor House Hospice.