Clara Fuhrman Harrop, age 94, of Arena died on October 1, 2011 at Greenway Manor in Spring Green. She was born on May 9, 1917 in Bowdon, North Dakota, the 12th of 13 children to George and Charlotte (Schelske) Fuhrman. After graduation from Bowdon High School in 1934, Clara enrolled in the St. Alexius Hospital School of Nursing in Bismarck where she earned a degree in nursing in 1938. She enlisted in the U.S. Army Nurse Corps in 1941 and was tasked to various military hospitals around the U.S. until the end of the war when she was discharged with the rank of Captain. After discharge from service, Clara continued working as a nurse in various hospitals, eventually making her way to Methodist Hospital in Madison where she met Merton Harrop. They were married on June 13, 1950 and made their home in Arena. They had two children, Gary (Gayle) Harrop of Mazomanie and Marcia (Roger) Creasey of Arena. During their marriage Clara managed the family home and worked for Merton in the bank on an as-needed basis. After Merton's death in 1968, Clara returned to nursing, working as an R.N. at the Sauk-Prairie Memorial Hospital until her retirement in 1986. Clara was a member of the Arena Congregational Church, its Volunteer-Missionary Society, and taught Sunday School there for many years. She was a member of the board of directors of The Peoples State Bank, Mazomanie, from 1963-1987 and was involved in numerous civic activities throughout her years in Arena.

In addition to her children, she is survived by grandchildren Adrienne (Adam) Jacobus, Spencer (Keeley) Creasey, Neil (Leah) Harrop and Seth Harrop, great-grandchildren Dawson and Landon Jacobus, and one sister, Lydia Jensen of Bismarck, ND.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by brother's Ted, Bill, Vic, Chuck, Gus and Oscar, and sister's Ida, Alice, Gert, Edna and Bertha.

Friends may call on Friday, October 7, 2011 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Hooverson Funeral Home in Mazomanie. A memorial service will be held at the Arena Congregational Church in Arena on Saturday, October 8, 2011 at 1:00 p.m.

Appreciation is extended to the staffs of Greenway Terrace and Greenway Manor in Spring Green for the care and kindness they extended Clara over the past five years. Clara was a 48-year survivor of breast cancer and the family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorials be directed to the American Cancer Society.