Solveig "Sally" Harvey

Solveig Skar Karlgaard Harvey, known as Sally to her friends, was a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. She was born in McGregor, North Dakota on October 15, 1929 to Helen and Thorvald Skar, who was a homesteading Norwegian immigrant. Sally’s only sibling, Thorstein Skar, passed away in 1996. Thorstein and Sally spoke only Norwegian before entering school and learned English while in elementary school. After graduating high school, Sally attended and graduated from Minot State Teachers College as a Registered Nurse in 1950. She married Wayne Karlgaard in 1952 and worked as a nurse until the first of her two daughters, Susan Beth, was born in 1954 in Williston, North Dakota. They moved for Wayne’s job to Dayton, Ohio where Shari Lynn was born in 1956. Together they raised their daughters throughout Ohio and Tennessee. They also enjoyed traveling as well as living in England, Spain and Belgium.

While living in Jackson, Tennessee, Sally worked for Dr. William Crook and assisted him with the writing of his book “The Yeast Connection.” She considered this one of her greatest achievements. Sally met George Harvey on a blind date and they were married in 1986. She began working for hospice and in her off time, they enjoyed babysitting Sally’s first granddaughter, Sunnye. After Susan and Sunnye moved to Lakeland, FL, Sally and George followed in 1997 where she resided until her death. Shari and her husband, Tom and their two children, Matt and Annie, also moved from Tennessee to Lakeland to be with their family.

A devout Christian, Sally was also instrumental in the founding of two Lutheran churches. Another significant accomplishment for her was being the only woman and the Chairman of the building committee during the construction of Messiah Lutheran Church in Jackson, Tennessee.

As a young woman, she sang as part of a trio at weddings and social events. She continued her love of music by singing in church choirs and playing the guitar. Sally loved to stay busy with cooking, baking, gardening, needlework, sewing, crocheting, volunteering for hospice (after her many years of working for hospice), traveling, caring for family, friends, pets and neighbors, while keeping in touch with many friends and family around the country.

During her 93 year lifetime, she survived the Great Depression, many blizzards and a catastrophic tornado that destroyed the family home. In the face of disaster, her resilience was grounded in her deep faith in God.

She is survived by her daughters, Susan Karlgaard Sartain and Shari Karlgaard Garrett, three grandchildren, Sunnye (Carlos) Orozco, Matt Garrett and Claudia Anne Garrett and 2 great-grandchildren, Sophia and Evan Orozco. Her family was her proudest achievement.

Family will receive friends on Friday, June 30, 2023, from 5-7 pm in the Tribute Center at Heath Funeral Chapel.

Visitation on Saturday, July 1, 2023, at 10 am at First United Methodist Church, with a service to follow at 11 am.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to First United Methodist Church in Lakeland, Florida.