Maralice Dolores Dorothy Harrison, died at her home in Park Forest, Illinois, at 8 am, Friday February 1, 2013 of heart failure at the age of 88 years old. Her husband, Robert N. Harrison now 90 years old, grieves the loss of his constant companion of 69 years. Mara was born on March 23, 1924 in Titonka, Iowa to Fred and Martha Boyken. Baptized in the Missouri Lutheran church in 1924, she affirmed her baptism in Fenton, Iowa when she was 15 years old, in 1939. Maralice married Robert Harrison, on October 10, 1943 in Oakland, California. Born to Robert and Mara were three daughters, Mara Carol, Aleeca Faith and Christine Roberta. They blessed their parents with two grandchildren, Robert Been and Luke Hettel. Her daughters sought careers that provided healing both spiritual and physical to others: Rev. Carol Been as a pastor and social justice advocate in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Dr. Aleeca Bell as a nurse-midwife and now professor/researcher at the University of Illinois at Chicago, and Christine Oda as an Occupational Therapist who specializes in neurological conditions in San Francisco. Five brothers and one sister preceded her in death, one brother is still living, Art Boyken. He and his wife Norma live in Waterloo, Iowa. Mara and her husband resided in California, North Dakota, Montana, Nebraska and Illinois where her husband Robert served as a Lutheran pastor. The loves in her life were her children, her church and her friends. It always amazed her when her prayers were answered and most of all that her God could continually keep loving her. Her daughters, Carol, Aleeca and Christine AKA Jazz (via live video feed due to health issues) were with her at the time of her passing and felt blessed to have a mother whose heart lasted as long as it did. Weakened by rheumatic fever as a child, her heart was strengthened by a loving and joyous spirit. She underwent two open-heart surgeries in her middle years that made it possible for her to live almost 89 years. The family gives thanks to the many healing professionals who helped her live a full life and to the wonderful staff at Ingall's Hospice and Freda her constant caregiver who helped her through her final six months of life. Endlessly curious about people, constantly open to learning and filled with compassion and grace, she taught all who knew her about how to live a life of grace. Her grandsons Robert and Luke, and her son-in-laws John Oda and Reginald Swilley, brought her great joy and she prayed for them all daily. In her final days, when she still had the breath to speak, she kept expressing her gratitude and love for the care she received. Carol sang many of her favorite hymns to her as she spent her last few days between this world and the next. The last sounds to come out of her mouth was when she came out of a semi-conscious state to join in the first few notes of 'I Love To Tell The Story' expressing both her love of God and how she lived her life. A memorial service in celebration of her life will be held at 4 pm, Sunday, February 10that her church (St Paul's Lutheran Church,6201 Vollmer Rd., Matteson, IL. 60443). Supper to follow the service. In lieu of flowers, we encourage donations to be sent to St. Pauls Lutheran Church with a memo indicating the Maralice Harrison Memorial Fund. This fund will support the ministries she was involved in while at St. Paul's. Service Information A service summary is not available