Sonja Claire Wubler Harr

Sonja Claire Wulber Harr joined her husband on July 4, 2026, his birthday. He always seemed to be waiting on her. This brought to a close a long goodbye filled with meaningful conversations, expressions of love and gratitude, and the comfort of knowing nothing was left unsaid.

Raised in a large family in rural Missouri, Sonja entered nursing school in Lincoln, Nebraska, immediately after high school. There she met Jerry, her partner for life. Introduced on a blind date, they quickly knew they belonged together, marrying just three months later and welcoming the first of their five children ten months after that. The six decades that followed were filled with close friendships, lively parties, hard work, and countless children's activities.

Three ideals defined Sonja's life: community, creativity and compassion.

Community was at the heart of everything Sonja did. Her circle reached far beyond family, including the many children and stray animals welcomed into her home, lifelong friends, and colleagues from her three decades in health care. Together, these relationships sustained her through life's joys and hardships and gave her deep purpose.

Sonja and Jerry were known for hosting unforgettable gatherings. Their home was intentionally welcoming, always full of people, conversation, and good food. She found joy simply in seeing others together. Even in her final days, hearing the voices of family and friends around her brought her comfort.

Her longtime bridge group had one steadfast rule: no talk of diapers, babies or school. The conversations were spirited, and the opinions were as strong as the cocktails. At a recent funeral, Sonja reflected on how grateful she was for these remarkable women and the friendships they had shared for so many years.

Creativity touched every part of Sonja's life. She painted in every medium, explored paper arts, sewing, fiber arts, ceramics, basket weaving, photography, furniture refinishing, welding, and countless other crafts. Every project became an opportunity to make something uniquely her own. Even her approach to parenting reflected that spirit. Her children and grandchildren were given blank paper instead of coloring books, encouraging them to imagine freely and color well beyond the lines.

Sonja's compassion was evident in a lifetime of service to others. She volunteered with schools and churches, organized a community garden, made trauma dolls for children through local police and fire departments, and served as an usher at Indiana Repertory Theatre. That same spirit defined her nursing career, where her work with young psychiatric patients helped them see hope and imagine a brighter future.

Sonja cared for others as a nurse, but devoted her life to her children and close friends. Her compassion helped shape her children into strong, well-rounded adults. She was always a soft place to land, offering a listening ear, a comforting hug, and, when needed, honest guidance.

Sonja was preceded in death by her husband, Gerald Harr, in 2017, and her sister, Mary Rogers, in 2025.

She is survived by her children, Michael and Rufie Harr; Andy and Carmel Harr; Tracy and Todd Barnes; Francine and Peter Burge; and Susan and Jason Johnson; and by her grandchildren, Emma and Katja Barnes; Esperanza and Ariana Harr; Maggie and Denis Harr; and Jake Johnson. If you know any member of this family, you know the values they carry with them: community, creativity and compassion. Those gifts are Sonja's enduring legacy.

There will be a Mass of Christian Burial in August.  Please check back for updates.