Alice Persky Harlan

Alice Persky Harlan, age 78, of Temple passed away Monday, January 23, 2012 in Temple. A memorial service is scheduled for 11:00 am at the First Lutheran Church on Saturday, January 28, 2012 with Pastor Pat Dietrich officiating. A private family gathering honoring Alice's wishes will be held at the Doering-Harlan Ranch at a later date. Alice was born November 16, 1933 to Herbert and Tula (Tootsie) Persky on the family farm in Rogers. She attended school in Rogers and Temple, graduating from Temple High School. After graduation she worked at Dyers Department Store in downtown Temple in women's apparel and the business office. It was while she was at Temple High that she met the love of her life John Lewis Harlan. Their courtship together continued until John Lewis graduated from Texas A&M and they were married on March 23, 1957. To their union, they were blessed with four wonderful children daughters Julie Doering Harlan-Hall and Jackie Ralston and sons John Lewis Harlan Jr. and Jay Houston Harlan. Alice loved all of her family and friends and she cherished John Lewis and the life they had together for 54 years. She and John Lewis spent many trips together playing in couples golf tournaments as well as many partnership golf tournaments with her "golfing buddies"! Being the avid golfer that she was, Alice won many championships and had her fair share of "ace's". She was an active member of the ladies golf associations at the Temple Country Club, Salado Golf Club and Wildflower Country Club on which her name is engraved five times on the Ladies Club Championship trophy. Aside from the days of caring for her family and all the special times spent with family and friends, Alice cherished the days she and John Lewis spent on their ranch. After John Lewis' retirement, they moved to South Texas and started a hunting lodge business on the family ranch. She was known by many for her immaculate care and pride she took in all the things she did. Alice was preceded in death by her parents, her youngest and beloved son Jay, sisters Pricilla Pecile and Charlotte Woodward. She is survived by her loving and devoted husband John Lewis, children Julie, John and Jackie. Her memory is also cherished by her son-in-law's John Hall and Jack Ralston and her daughter-in-law Susan Harlan and her brother Herbert Persky Jr. She has many grandchildren that will also miss their "Granny", John Harlan III, Christopher Harlan, Andrew Harlan, McKenzie Ralston and McKenna Ralston and her great grandson Rhett Harlan. She also has a special little dog in her life, Dilly that she was so very fond of. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes for memorials to be sent to the First Lutheran Church, 1515 W. Adams Ave., Temple, TX 76504 or to a charity of their choosing in Alice's memory.