Neal Charles Harper, age 66, of Absarokee, Montana, formerly of Lancaster, Wisconsin, passed away on Thursday, October 9, following a heart attack and subsequent motor vehicle accident while driving.

Born in Lancaster, Wisconsin, Neal was one of nine siblings and lived a life full of adventure and deep love for his family, his dogs, his friends and the outdoors. Neal is preceded in death by his parents, William and Shirley and nieces, Stephanie Muldoon and Kara Harper. He is survived by his wife Marilyn Starr; his siblings Sharon, David (Donna), Jeffrey, Robert, Jules (Rick), Jane (Elaine), Lisa (Tod), and Lora; many other family and friends including nieces and nephews, Matthew, Greg, Nikki, Lindsey, Adam, Bill, Angela, Toni,Terry and Ben with special call out to Jamie, Jon, James, and Cassi, who spent many treasured moments with him and Marilyn at their Montana home.

Neal’s early years were spent working on the family farm, wrestling and playing football in high school. After high school, he pursued a career as an underground miner building tunnels and “blowing things up”; a job that took him around the country before he and Marilyn finally found their true home in Absarokee, Montana. There, surrounded by the rugged beauty of the mountains and rivers, he enjoyed fishing, hunting, and everything the great outdoors had to offer.

Idealistic and deeply family-oriented, Neal was a man of resilience, humor, faith and heart. He lived life on his own terms, and those who knew him will remember his easy going style, his sense of fun and love for the outdoors. He will be deeply missed.

Memorial service details will be announced by the family at a later date.