Jane Harthun

Jane Margaret Harthun (Korczak) was born on August 11, 1944, to her loving parents Frances (Stoltman) and Henry Korczak in Milwaukee, WI., alongside her identical twin sister, Judith 'Judy' Mary. When young, the family moved to Grand Forks, ND, and she attended St. Michael's and St. James' schools. She recalled many fond childhood memories of playing with her siblings and cousins at her grandmother's house in Oslo, MN – it was a time of delicious homemade stone crock pickles, pumping well water at the kitchen sink, playing outside until dusk, and lots of love and cheer. Once the family moved to Fargo, ND, she attended Shanley High School for three years, graduating on May 27, 1962.
Alongside Judy, until 1965, she was employed as a long-distance operator for Bell Telephone in Fargo, ND and at Wisconsin Telephone Co. in Milwaukee, WI., and she later completed training as an IBM key punch operator from Dunphy Associates. She would often reminisce of her and Judy's time working and living in WI with extended family in 1963: watching Lassie on TV with her Aunt Rose, spending time with her cousin John, and a special trip to Chicago to see the movie "Cleopatra" and eat at a fancy supper club.
She met her husband, Larry Harthun, in Dent, MN in the spring of 1965, and they were married at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Fargo, ND on November 6, 1965; they remained committed to each other for over fifty-nine years. Larry and Jane lived in Auburn, WA and various towns in central MN, including Rothsay for over twenty-five years. While building and raising a family of four children, Jane was also employed as an operator at East Ottertail Telephone Co. in Perham, MN for eleven years. However, motherhood was always the main focus and love of her adult life, and she spent most of her days as a homemaker and dedicated caretaker.
Jane loved many activities: camping adventures, traveling out West and Southwest, doing puzzles, playing card and dice games, listening to music, dancing, and mini-golfing. She was an avid viewer and reader of mystery, crime thriller, and biography stories. Along with family, she always enjoyed going out to eat and trying new restaurants for a wide variety of favorite foods, including pizza, broasted chicken, and ice cream. She was a very good cook, but especially loved baking; everyone relished her bars, cookies, and cakes at family gatherings. She spent many fine years enjoying these activities and precious time with her grandchildren, too.
She bravely battled ovarian cancer until the end of her life, almost seven years after her diagnosis. Her family was in awe of her strength, especially throughout this period of her life. Her resilience through the sacrifices that her chemotherapy demanded of her is a touchstone for her daughters and granddaughters – that they follow her lead in being an S.P.W.: a Strong Polish Woman.
A major theme of her life was one of devotion: she was devoted to God, to her marriage, and to her beloved children and grandchildren. Her final years were primarily spent in West Fargo, ND, to be closer to medical facilities and family. She received care in her final weeks at SMP Health – St. Catherine South, and passed away there on Friday morning, January 17, 2025, surrounded by family. She will be deeply missed by those who knew and loved her.
Jane is preceded in death by her parents, by her sisters Audrey Bell and Rosalie Canniff, and by her brothers-in-law Glen 'Harpo' Sparks, William 'Bill' Canniff, and Raymond 'Ray' Lopuck.
She is survived by her siblings: Elizabeth 'Betty' Lopuck (Ray), Judith 'Judy' Herrmann (Ron), Kathleen 'Kathy' Sparks Libby (Wally), and Matthew 'Matt' Korczak (Rynell); her husband, Larry; her four children: Julie Ries (Bill Smith), John, Lynn Bendickson (Brian), and Valerie (Cory Hass); her three grandchildren: Brittany and Brianna (John), and Sage (Lynn); and her three great-grandchildren.
Celebration of Life memorial service and reception will be held at West Funeral Home in West Fargo, ND at a date to be announced in the summer of 2025.
West Funeral Home & Life Tribute Center
westfuneralhome.com
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