November 28, 1931-February 19, 2023
Jane Helen Wilhelmina (Carlson) Harp, 91, of Bloomington, passed away peacefully on the morning of Feb. 19, 2023, in her senior living apartment where she happily spent the past year.
She enjoyed visits from family up to the day before she passed, and she got to exit the way she wanted – to fall asleep and be reunited with her loving husband.
Jane was born November 28, 1931, in Brooklyn, New York to Esther (Gunnarson) and Ivar Carlson, with older brother Lennart Carlson born the year before. She gained a new “dad” when her mother remarried in 1941 to Gustav Wessel, plus two older stepbrothers – Stig Bertil “Russ” and LeRoy Wessel. Her sister Linda Ann Wessel arrived in 1946. By then, the family had moved from Brooklyn to Massachusetts to be with members of Esther’s Swedish-American family, before settling in San Antonio, Texas. It was there the 18-year-old Jane – who loved to dance – was set up on a blind date by Lennart with one of his Armed Service buddies for New Year’s Eve 1949. Jane later described the young man – George Wilson (“Buck”) Harp – as having “two left feet and no rhythm” – but her dad wouldn’t let her back out of the date. Less than a month later – on Jan. 27, 1950 – Jane and George were married and the union lasted for over 67
years until George’s passing.
George and Jane raised their family in Kirksville, Indiana. Jane loved to fish, something her family did along the banks of the White River when they spent summer weekends near the Williams Dam. She worked hard and studied her Bible even when she wasn’t able to attend church. She was a devoted mother to her family and a steadfast wife and partner to George, including his final years in nursing home care.
Jane leaves behind her children Peggy Hillenburg (Dennis), Don Harp (Richard Lewis), Tim Harp, and Terri Harp; grandchildren Denise Hillenburg, Devin Hillenburg, Patrick Hillenburg (Mary), Cheyenna Hillenburg (Durant), and Hanna Harp-Grissom (Daniel Crump); six great-grandchildren; her sister Linda Emory (John); sisters-in-law Sara Harp, Marie Medley, and Geneva Wessel; several nieces, nephews, and cousins; and her Evergreen buddies, Julia and Sammy. She was preceded in death by her husband George, her parents, and her brothers.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 6 at Day & Carter Mortuary in Bedford, with visitation from Noon until 2:00 p.m. Jane’s wish was to be cremated and join George in their resting place at Kentucky Ridge Cemetery in Greene County.
The family would like to thank the caring and dedicated staff at Evergreen Village of Bloomington for making Jane’s final year one of joy and comfort, and IU Health Hospice Care for helping Jane to make her transition with grace and peace.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.daycarter.com.
