Myra Louise Guldenpfennig Minear, 78, entered into eternal life Thursday, July 9, 2020, at her home in Durham, North Carolina.
Services were held Monday, July 20, 2020 at 3:00 pm at Holy Infant Catholic Church. Burial will be at St. Matthew Catholic Cemetery also in Durham. R.M. Ferguson Funeral Service, Raleigh, handled arrangements.
Myra was born on October 20, 1941, in Barstow, Rock Island County, Illinois, just east of East Moline and Silvis. She was the daughter of farmers, John Arthur and Martha Guldenpfennig. At the age of two, Myra’s father drowned in a tragic accident. Her mother remarried August John Meyers, a mortuary assistant. A kind and godly man, August raised Martha’s children as his own.
Myra enjoyed school and her friends and was known by some of her friends as a member of the “The Brain Trust.” She graduated in 1959 from United Township High School in East Moline. She went on to graduate from Iowa State University having earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work.
Her cousins and classmates often spoke of her empathy; she was always able to listen and connect to anyone. Her first work experience was with the state hospital, taking care of the elderly. She was always someone’s loving support, whether she was working, volunteering, or that friendly face that brightens someone’s day!
Myra loved gardening, and the conservation and care of our Earth’s plants, animals, and people. Her passion for her family, friends, helping others, and her abiding faith sustained her throughout her life. Even when pain became unbearable, she would quote her mother, “we take what God gives us and do our best to serve him,” then draw a deep breath and follow her mother’s example.
Myra was known for living her faith. She was a long time parishioner of Holy Infant Catholic Church. She was always ready to help anyone in need, often taking people that were in trouble into her home until they were on their feet. She served for many years as a counselor operating Durham Rescue Mission’s hotline CONTACT.
Myra was preceded in death by her beloved stepfather August John Meyers, mother Martha Pollentier Guldenpfennig Meyers, and devoted brother, Donald Allen Guldenpfennig of Ogden, Iowa.
She is survived by her loving children and their spouses, daughter Michelle and T.M. Chandrasekhar; son, Blake and Nancy Minear; son, Eric and Donna Minear; and son, Todd and Meredith Minear; grandchildren, Shrikumar Austin Nair, Madeline Dakota Minear, Lauren Elizabeth Gates, Mary Arden Gates, and Anna Thompson Minear.
Myra leaves behind her adopted “chicks,” dear cousins, nephews, nieces, and friends: Angelia, David, Erin, Taylor; John, Julie, Ellen, Jake; Judy, Rob, Pat; Susanne, James, Elisabeth, Harrison, Wilson, Lee; John K; Barb, Theresa, Brian, Kevin, Christa; Brian and Carol; Ruth, Becky; Lois, (wife of brother Don): Steve, Laura, Ryan; Mark, Pat, Jenai, Amber, Aaron, Adam, Christopher; Susan, Mark, Jennifer (with her Grandfather in heaven), Michael; Jim, Rhonda, Gavin, Marlena, Kylie; Marcia, Kurt, Scott, Nick; Jaime, Maureen, Jan, Mary, Peggy, Nancy and Larry, Diane, Brian and Roberta, Brian and Carol, Tad, Rosalie, Don, Carl and Lynn, Fathers John, Jim, and Robert and all the others whose hearts we know but whose names escape us!
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to one of two charities that were close to Myra’s heart: The priest’s discretionary funds at Holy Infant Catholic Church, 5000 Southpark Drive, Durham, NC 27713-9470; or to Durham Rescue Mission