Bessie Harridge

Bessie Harridge, age 91 of Mount Carroll, Illinois died on Saturday, April 24, 2010 at the Carroll County Good Samaritan Nursing Home, Mount Carroll. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, April 28, 2010 at the Frank-Law-Jones Funeral Home, Mount Carroll. Burial will take place in the Fulton Cemetery, Fulton, Illinois. A visitation will be held from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 27, 2010 at the funeral home. Memorials may be directed to the Carroll County Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Bessie’s memory.Bessie was born on February 6, 1919, the daughter of Louis and Johanna (Cooper) Temple in Garden Plain, rural Whiteside County. She attended Mount Hope School in Whiteside County. Bessie married Paul E. Harridge on December 15, 1944. Paul died on January 4, 1985.Bessie farmed with husband in Whiteside County and in rural Mount Carroll. Bessie also worked at the Great River Ordinance Plant in Amboy, Illinois. She worked hard her entire life and had many wonderful memories. Bessie was happiest when she was near her family and friends. Her grandchildren were her pride and joy and her great grandchildren were her sweethearts. Before entering the nursing home, Bessie enjoyed spending time at Dairy Queen with her friends, cooking for her family and planting flower gardens.Bessie will be dearly missed by her three daughters, Virginia Brinkmeier of Chadwick, Illinois, Mary Ann Eirhart of Freeport and Diane (Cory) Pidde of Mount Carroll; twelve grandchildren, Jeff Brinkmeier, Debbie Green, Melissa Law, Matt Brinkmeier, Lisa Metz, Sara McKenna, David Harridge, Nathan Pidde, Daniel Harridge, Kate Pidde, Donovan Harridge and Dena Harridge; sixteen great grandchildren, Josh, Jessica, Karley, Allison, Grace, Kalob, Abbi, Karson, Alexis, Riley, Emily, Diana, Molly, Tyler, Alison and Lindsay; two great-great grandchildren, Hayden and Katlyn; and one daughter in-law, Denise Harridge of Mount Carroll.Bessie is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Paul; a son, Dwayne; one sister, Helen; and four brothers, Henry, Peter, George and Dick.