Janet Bass

Janet Morehouse Bass, affectionately known as “Jan,” passed away on March 4, 2026, in Frisco, Texas, just days before her 87th birthday. She was born on March 7, 1939, in Indianapolis, Indiana, to Walter Morehouse and Muriel Morehouse.

Jan grew up in the Broad Ripple neighborhood of Indianapolis and was a proud graduate of Broad Ripple High School. On January 18, 1964, she married Richard Bass, beginning a partnership that spanned more than six decades.

Throughout her life, Jan pursued a variety of professional and creative endeavors. She was especially known for her work in floral design and landscape design, and she contributed to the family business at Floyd Bass Nursery in Indianapolis. Her deep appreciation for beauty and design was evident in everything she touched.

Jan was a gifted artist and an accomplished oil painter. Her creativity extended to her gardens, which were admired for their beauty and were featured in Midwest Living magazine. She was also an enthusiastic collector of antiques and had a lifelong love of Indiana history.

She was an active member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and The Questers, organizations that reflect her passion for history and preservation. Her artistic talents and creative spirit were widely admired and will be fondly remembered by those who knew and loved her.

Jan was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Muriel Morehouse; her son, Brian Bass; and her brother, Steven Morehouse.

She is survived by her beloved husband, Richard Bass; her son, Craig Bass and daughter-in-law Laura Bass; her grandchildren, Sara Bass and Jillian Bass; and her sister-in-law, Sharon Morehouse.

No funeral or memorial service is planned. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Indiana Historical Society in her honor.

Jan will be remembered for her creativity, her appreciation for beauty and history, and the lasting impression she left on those fortunate enough to know her.