Amber Kathleen Harpe
Amber Kathleen Harpe, 71, of Tipton died peacefully on Wednesday, April 10, 2024 at her residence with her loving family by her side. She was born in Valparaiso, Indiana on September 23, 1952 to Glenn Eldon and Dorothy Sue (Stoddard) Smith. Amber married Allen Lee Harpe on May 6, 1972, the couple enjoying over 51 years together.
Amber was a graduate of Tipton High School, Class of 1970. She would then graduate with an Associate’s of Science degree in nursing from Indiana Central College in 1972. Amber would then go on to earn a Bachelor’s and then her Master’s in nursing from Indiana Wesleyan University.
Amber devoted herself to her profession as a registered nurse until she retired in 2019. When she began her career as an RN, Amber worked in the OB department. She would later transition to home healthcare at the VNA in Elwood and Howard Community Hospital. She later served as VP and opened a homecare nursing agency through Tipton at Home. She finished her nursing career by lending her expertise as a clinical nursing educator at Community Hospital Anderson. After retiring Amber was instrumental in starting the Alexandria-Monroe HS/Essential Senior Health & Living’s CNA Pathways Program whose graduates fed into the CNA Apprenticeship Program, the first of its kind in the state.
Amber’s faith in Jesus was very important to her and she loved to study God’s word. As a child she attended Trinity Wesleyan Church then later attended both Trinity and Ash Street Wesleyan Churches as well as East Side Church of God in Anderson. She cherished her family. When they came into her life, Amber’s grandchildren took center stage and she enjoyed every athletic or scholastic event she attended. She was always up for a spontaneous trip, and enjoyed hosting family and friends.
Survivors include her husband Allen; her mother Dottie Smith; children Audrey Wetz and husband Chad of Lafayette, Mike Harpe and wife Andrea of Fairmount, and Gregg Harpe and wife Beth of Alexandria. Siblings include Dawn Huguenard of Anderson, Gregg Smith and wife Carol of Hamilton, MI, Tammy Gamble and husband Donnie of Peru, Lori Shuler and husband Cort of Ft. Wayne, Patty Fry and husband Scott of Albany, and Shelley Huff and husband Ron of Tipton. Amber was blessed with 10 grandchildren, Mason, Dylan and Rylea Wetz; Denver, Conway, Turner and Hudson Harpe, and Katelyn, Owen and Lily Harpe. Extended family includes her sister-in-law Carolyn Stamps and husband Rex along with several nieces and nephews.
Amber was preceded in death by her sibling Cynthia Lee Smith and her father Glenn Eldon Smith.
The family will receive friends on Monday April 15, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Young-Nichols Funeral Home where the Nursing Honor Guard will conduct a ceremony at 5:00 p.m. A family memorial service with Rev. Harvey Herring presiding will be held at Ash Street Wesleyan Church on Tuesday, April 16 at 10:30 a.m. Burial at Fairview Cemetery to follow at a later date. Online condolence may be made on her obituary page at www.young-nichols.com
Memorial donations may be made to Ash Street Wesleyan Church, 540 Ash St, Tipton, Indiana, 46072.
My deepest condolences, sympathies and prayers for all the families. Amber was a wonderful nurse, always so caring. She raised a beautiful family.
Condolences to the family, 🙏🏼🙏🏼
She was a very special lady. Many prayers for the family
Allen,Aubrey,Mike and Gregg and families have our deepest sympathy. I have so many good memories of Her and all of you guys. Amber was a beautiful woman inside and out. She is going to be greatly missed. She was a true Christian, She LOVE JESUS with all of her heart and soul! R.I.P. Amber. Until we meet again my friend.😢😢Love you all❤️❤️
Thoughts and Prayers for her family. We went to school together, she was such a wonderful person.
Dear Harpe family,
Brent and I are so sorry to learn of Amber’s passing. She was such a warm, loving and giving person. We were honored to know her. We saw Mike in town but had no idea. Again, please accept our condolences.
Brent and Lindsey Ehman
She was amazing. So many good memories. Always in my thoughts. Rest in peace 💐
Condolences to all of Ambers family. Thoughts and prayers for the family.
My thoughts are with the family. My deepest condolences.
My condolences to you and your family at this time Beth. Love you!!
The Nursing Honor Guard serving North Central Indiana would like to express our heartfelt sympathy to the Harpe family. We are thankful for Amber’s strength, wisdom, soothing words, compassion, gentle healing hands and love of nursing. We are honored to help you celebrate her nursing career. More than 100 nurses in North Central Indiana have been given the privilege of praying for your family as you prepare to celebrate Amber’s life.
I am blessed to have known Amber. As my childhood neighbor she was always so comforting and understanding. I know she will be missed by myself and many others. My condolence to your family. Peace be with you. Aleta Zaloudek
We are so sorry for your loss, the family is in our thoughts and prayers.
It’s been a while Allen since I have seen the two u. I hope you and Amber had a good life together raising your family. From what I read Amber sounded like a remarkable nurse. I’m so sorry she went at such a young age but her life was right with Jesus. Tipton is a good town to be from. Hope your journey forward is filled with Great Memories
Dear Allen and family,
We were so very sorry to hear of your loss and are sending up prayers for all of you. Amber was, and still is, a remarkable lady.
to all of the family,
I was so sorry to see this notice, I worked with Amber at TCMH many years ago & she was always a very compassionate and caring person, her children were just small, such a sweet spirit & very competent. For Dottie in particular I know she got her love of Nursing from her sweet mother.
May the Lord comfort you all.
Sincerely Penni (Chadwell) Barnes