Betty Harlan

Betty Ann (White) Harlan, 94, of Rock Island, Illinois, passed away peacefully on August 4, 2025, just six days before her 95th birthday. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., Friday, August 8th at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Moline. Visitation is from 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. Friday at Wendt Funeral Home, 1811 15th Street Place, Moline. Burial will be at Rose Lawn Cemetery, Moline. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Heartland Hospice, or your nearest animal shelter in Betty's memory.

Betty was born on August 10, 1930, in Palmyra, Missouri, to Henry White and Edith (Shear) White. On December 31, 1948, she married the love of her life, Sanford "Sam" Laverne Harlan, at the St. Joseph Catholic Church Rectory in Rock Island. Sam preceded her in death on January 4, 1998.

Betty is also preceded in death by her parents and her two beloved sisters, Eileen Wells and Mary Green.

Known affectionately as "Aunt Betty" by all who loved her, she and Sam never had children of their own, but they were second parents to generations of nieces, nephews, great and great-great nieces, and nephews. Betty's unmistakable raised eyebrow kept everyone in line.

A devoted member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Moline, Betty lived a life grounded in faith, family, and service. She worked for many years at Regalia, and her hands were rarely idle. Betty created countless rosaries, sewed quilts for pregnancy centers, family, and friends, and found joy in knitting, crocheting, and painting. Her compassion extended far beyond people; Betty had a deep love for animals, especially for her dogs. She also loved hatching eggs of all kinds to nursing abandoned baby birds, rabbits, and squirrels.

She is survived by her brother-in-law, Arnold Green, and a large extended family of Harlans, and many cherished nieces, nephews, extended family and friends whose lives she touched with her gentle heart, unwavering faith, and quiet strength.

Betty's legacy is one of love, care, creativity, and resilience. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

Family and friends are invited to share memories and express condolences on her Memory Wall at wendtfuneralhome.com.