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.