Bob Harden, Kansas farmer and rancher passes

Robert Verne Harden, 92, died Saturday, February 10, 2018, at Minneola Long Term Care,

Minneola, Kansas. He was born September 1, 1925, in the Lexington Township, the son of Paul Robert and Florence Estella (Bard) Harden. He was a farmer and rancher. His life was his farming and ranching and his family.

On August 15, 1948, he married Donna Faye Jacques at Dodge City. She preceded him in death on December 2, 2013.

Survivors include: two sons, Robert V. "RV" Harden II and his wife, Cathy, of Manteca, California; Dean Bruce Harden and his wife, Pat, of Ogden, Kansas; 1 daughter, Jacqueline Johnson of Minneola; 1 brother, Charles Daniel "Dan" Harden of Miami, Florida; 5 grandchildren, Amanda, Robert V. III, Nathan, Taylor, and Alex; and three great grandchildren. He was also preceded in death by his parents; his granddaughter, Donna Rose; four brothers, Duane, Willis, Lloyd and Ray Harden; and one sister, Francis Eubank.

His funeral service was Saturday, February 17, 2018 at the Ashland Methodist church with Pastor Shawn Leach officiating. He received full military honors by the Bucklin American Legion and Military Honors for the State of Kansas. Burial followed the service at the Protection Cemetery, Protection, Kansas.

The family suggests memorials to the Minneola Community Foundation Long Term Care in care of Minnis Mortuary, P.O. Box 459 Minneola, Kansas 67865.

Family photos of Bob and Donna Faye Harden

Robert and Donna Faye Harden with their children, Jacque, R.V., and Dean.

Family farm in Englewood, Kansas

Tribute to Donna Faye Harden

Donna Faye (Jacques) Harden of Minneola, Kansas was born August 28, 1926, to Edwin Denton and Maude (Butcher) Jacques in Dodge City, Kansas. She was the middle child of five children, Doris Pauline, Edwin, Donna Faye, Bob, and Bill. The middle child syndrome never struck Mom as she was always a ball of fire, filled with determination, and the will to accomplish whatever she set out to do, or what she thought was the RIGHT THING TO DO. For the first eight years of schooling she went to a country school with her brothers Bob and Bill, however upon graduation from 8th grade the school was closed and all children went to Montezuma to school. She graduated from Montezuma High School. Upon graduation she went to work at the Dodge City Coop as an accountant.

The removal of her appendix in 1946 necessitated the taking of a part-time job. She went to work at the Dodge City Harvey House as a Harvey Girl. She thought this was a well-paying job as coffee cost a nickel; however most customers tipped a quarter. Riches!!! She lived in Dodge City for about three years then took a job at the Mullinville Coop. She went to Ashland one weekend to visit a friend, Mary Helen Clark. Mary Helen was asked out by Jack Stevens to attend a gathering at Jack and Betty Hardesty's. Mary Helen replied that she had a friend and that she would not go unless he got a date for Donna Faye. Jack said, "How about Bob Harden?" and she said that would be okay. Thus Mother met the love of the rest of her life on a blind date.

On August 15, 1948, Donna Faye and Bob married in Dodge City, Kansas. They lived in Ashland for two years after their marriage, having their first child, Jacquelyn, in 1950.

One of the conditions of marriage to Bob was that she would not live in Englewood, Kansas, but Englewood was where they moved to about 2 1/2 years after their marriage, thus proving she could roll with the punches with the best.

R.V. was born in 1952 and Dean in 1954. Donna Faye enjoyed her home on the farm outside of Englewood and found it very hard to leave in 2006 when she and Bob moved to an apartment in Minneola.

Once her children were gone from the home Donna Faye went back to school taking some college courses. She got better grades than two of her children who shall remain nameless, noting that R.V. graduated Phi Beta Kappa.

She had a beautiful garden enjoying Peonies, Roses, Poppies and anything unusual that could be raised in the harsh climate of Western Kansas. Donna Faye's major enjoyment was quilts, having several that won in shows and some published in a national magazine. Her use of color was extraordinary, combining colors that were unusual yet pleasing to the eye.

She loved her grandchildren and enjoyed keeping them for a few days. She did make them work sometimes which she declared was "good for them" but also took them swimming after a morning of work. She enjoyed making clothes for her granddaughters and quilts for all the grandchildren. She was a loving, caring and strong woman of faith who was way more liberal in her thinking than her friends and neighbors, however she generally kept that quiet, preferring not to argue. She faced life with Honesty and Integrity and taught her children to do the same. She believed in education as a way to a better, richer life and never stopped learning herself until her disease became too strong.

Donna Faye was a member of UMW, 20th Century, and the Englewood HDU. She was a board member of the Pioneer-Krier Museum and a founding board member of the Southwest Kansas Library System; she was on the fair board for several years. She was involved in her community, always trying to make it a better place to live, even though she thought where she lived was one of the best places to be living.

Preceding Donna Faye in death were her parents; her sister Doris Henderson; and two brothers, Edwin and Robert. She is survived by her husband of 65 years Bob Harden; her daughter Jacquelyn Johnson; her sons, Robert Harden II and Dean (Pat) Harden; grandchildren, Donna Burris, Alex Held, Robert Harden III, Nathan Harden, Amanda Harden and Taylor Harden; great-grandchildren, Dominique Joanne and Nathalie Faye; her brother William (Althea) Jacques; nieces, nephews and many friends.

Memorials given in Donna Faye's name may be made to the Pioneer-Krier Museum, P.O. Box 862, Ashland, KS 67831.

Terry Eubank, 1939-2009

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Terry's family today. He died after a motorcycle accident while on his way to Alaska. Best wishes to Alice, Paul and Nancy, Rick and Roy.

From the Garden City Telegram:
http://www.gctelegram.com/Obituaries/Terry-Eubank-obit-6-4-09

Terry Wayne Eubank, 69, of Ashland, died Saturday, May 30, 2009, in Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada.

He was born July 3, 1939, in Ashland, to George "Junior" and Laura Frances Harden Eubank. He graduated from Protection High School in Protection in 1958.

A farmer and rancher, Mr. Eubank was the former owner of Western Aero Ag Agricultural Spraying Inc. He was a member of the United Methodist Church and the Ashland Jaycees, having served on the Jaycee Ranch Board, as well as holding several local and state offices. He also belonged to the American Angus Association, Western Kansas Livestock Association, Christian Motorcycle Association, Goldwing Touring Association and the Patriot Guard.

On May 24, 1959, he married Marcia Bramlett in Coldwater. On Feb. 9, 2002, he and Nancy Butchett were married in Weatherford, Okla. She survives. Other survivors include two sons, Ricky Lynn Eubank of Garden City, and Roy Lee Eubank of Oskaloosa; a stepson, Mike Burnes of Yukon, Okla.; his father, of Protection; a brother, Paul Deight Eubank of Pratt; a sister, Alice Ann Rich of Ashland; one grandchild; and five stepgrandchildren. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Rochelle Lancee Eubank, and his mother.

Funeral will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at the United Methodist Church, Ashland, with the Rev. Rick Branson officiating. Burial will be at Highland Cemetery in Ashland.

Memorials are suggested to the Ashland Community Foundation or the United Methodist Church, both in care of Myatt Funeral Home, Box 578, Ashland, KS 67831.

Happy Birthday, Judy Vashus!

Today is my mom's birthday. Should I reveal how old she is? Has she reached the age yet where she would be proud to announce how many years she has managed to live? No, I think you have to be at least 71 for that.

Suffice it to say that she was born Judith Anne Harden in 1945 in Dodge City. Her parents were Duane and Linda Harden. Harry Truman was president. (Old!) She has a brother, Don, who tormented her as a child, as little brothers are wont to do, and a sister, Sandy, who just moved back to Ashland after 42 years of tearful exile.

Duane, Sandy, Linda, Judy and Don, c. 1959.

Judy graduated from Ashland High School in 1963.

She went to Kansas State University, where she studied Home Economics for awhile, until she realized she really didn't have the temperment for cake baking and crocheting (though she has baked plenty of cakes and cookies and makes a lovely pot roast). Who wanted to be a home-maker when there was a whole world of people out there who needed blood drawn and their pee analyzed? So she switched to biochemistry, or something like that. She had a slide rule and, doggone it, she knew how to use it!

The Sixties. When hair had an aura of its own.

Unfortunately, she decided to get married and have a baby, Jennifer. Well, women were expected to do that and not go out and become neurosurgeons. Besides, how can you resist a cute baby like this?:

Eventually, she settled back in Ashland and worked at the hospital there and had another baby, Duane.

Judy has many talents and skills. She has always loved her family and her kids. She loves to garden and take care of the lawn. She plays the piano for church and the high school choir. She likes to read the Bible and enjoys Sunday School at the First Church of God. She likes to wear hats and sing if her sinuses are clear enough. She loves cats and catnaps. She also loves to laugh with her irrepressible siblings, Don and Sandy.

Judy, Don and Sandy at Don's 60th birthday party.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM!

Nice photo

Mary, Ronda, Keith, in back; Myron, Maryl and Ray, in front.

Sorry I haven't been updated the blog recently, but the semester has started up again and people keep giving me things to do.

Jared Melvin sent me this nice photo of Ray and Mary and their family, taken in Chicago, around 1969, before they moved to Indianapolis.

Still time to send me photos if you want them in the book.

Uncle Bob in hospital

My mom tells me that Uncle Bob had prostate surgery last week and has developed post-op pneumonia. He is now in the hospital at Minneola if anyone wants to send him get well wishes. We sure do hope he gets better soon!




A photo of Bob and Donna Faye and family a few years ago when R.V. came for a visit.

Family Reunion, Italian Style

Our cousin Maryl Thompson sent me a photo of her oldest daughter, Kiley, who's in the Navy, and Mike's youngest son, Charlie Harden. Unfortunately, they could not make it to the reunion, but I'm sure consoled themselves with the fact they were in Italy. Sure looks like they got a lot of sun. Here's the story from Maryl:

"Meet my oldest daughter, Kiley, who is active duty with the Navy. (I have 3 kids, the other 2 were in attendance at the reunion.) Kiley was planning on attending the reunion until the Navy told her she needed to go to Italy instead. Because of the reunion and most of our family being in KS, information was exchanged only to discover that Mike's youngest son, Charles, was also stationed in Italy on the same base at the same time my daughter was there! So, after names and numbers were exchanged, they met each other and spent 4 days "hanging out" all the while the rest of us were reuniting in KS, thousands of miles away! They had their own reunion of sorts. Kiley told me it was the highlight of her deployment meeting him. You just never know with a family the size of ours, where a relative might just show up!"

Isn't that cool?

Victorian Photography Redux

Ken and I were inspired by the Bard family photo to take our own, "old-timey" photo. It looks like I'm this close to picking up an axe to break up a saloon, doesn't it? I tried to look as traumatized by the endless ironing as possible.

The experience made me think that it must have been similar for E.C. Bard and Family. When they asked about the spider web background, they were told, "Oh, the spider is symbolic of wisdom. Don't worry about it, you'll love it! Everyone does." Our photographer wasn't very supportive, besides helping me to find the ugliest hat they had. I had to hold a fan and stand just that way, because that's how everyone does it. "Don't you want to smile for at least one?" she said. She didn't get it. I resisted the impulse to cross my eyes, because, well, it cost $25, after all.

A Legacy of Faith

Jim and Mary's daughter, Joanna Harden, has been attending a college Comp I course, and for one of her assignments, "Observing a Place," she wrote about our church service on Sunday, July 6. Mary sent it for me to share with the rest of you. So on this Sunday, Joanna shares her essay, "A Legacy of Faith":

As I sat next to my grandpa on the old wooden pews from the church where he was raised, I realized that my heritage of faith was deeper than just what my parents taught me. In October of 1884, my grandpa’s great-grandfather, Nathan Harden, came to Lexington, Kansas (a current ghost town that is located in between Protection and Bucklin), and homesteaded, and around 1908, his son, Charles, built the house that I have lived in my whole life. I remember sitting on my great-grandfather’s lap as he told stories of coming home from school and nailing the lath (wood framework for plaster) for the walls, but it was not until recently that I understood the significance of my family history. Over the Fourth of July weekend, I was joined by about 120 other Hardens for a family reunion and 100 year anniversary of my house. We spent the weekend catching up, and for some of us younger cousins, getting to know each other, but the best part of the entire reunion was Sunday morning when Hardens from four generations gathered together for a church service I will never forget.

The morning was crisp, but heating up fast as we boarded the trailer pulled behind my Uncle Mike’s Case International tractor for our ride through my grandfather’s pastures on our way to church, which would be held in the tree row behind my house. Along with my uncle’s months of research about our family history, he and his cousin, Don, spent hours welding scrap metal onto the trailer in the shape of high arches, which supported the cream colored tarps that kept the hot Kansas sun off our backs. But even with the modern tractor and rubber tires transporting the trailer, the tarps gave it a covered wagon look that transported us to the time of our ancestors. Ever since my great-grandmother was “saved”, the family attended the Church of God. Years ago the church got rid of their old pews and after storage in our 101-year-old barn, they were dusted off and placed on the trailers for our educational ride around Bluff Creek. The sun could not make up its mind which side of the trailer to shine on as we moseyed around the bends and curves of the now dry creek. My grandpa tried to pick the best spot for him to stay cool, and I sat close by, intently listening as he gave his recollections of how it used to be. My aunt loudly asked him questions and I wondered if he really was that deaf, but either way, there were enough loud Hardens to get the story told to everyone on the trailer. My uncle and my dad jumped off the trailer several times to move fallen limbs in our path and I thanked God for all the fallen limbs and hard times that my ancestors never ceased to remove from their pursuit of God. Upon our arrival at my house, the rest of the family, who were too tired to wake up early enough for the trailer ride, began to pull up in a variety of farm vehicles and rented vehicles and vans able to hold their large families. By eleven o’clock the sun was reminding us that we were in southwest Kansas, but the hollowed out tree row that my grandpa planted was significantly cooler. In an array of quad-folding cloth chairs and rusty metal benches from my mother’s garden, the sanctuary had been set. The fragrance of the cedar sap was contrasted by the sweet smell of summer flower blossoms, which my mother had been planting and watering for the last several years. My dad’s cousin and I stood on the grassy opening where my dad remembered playing badminton and we began to lead my family in the hymn “Holy Spirit, Thou art Welcome.” I soon discovered why my family is known for their musical gifting. The heartfelt worship was paralleled by beautiful four-part harmonies that would put any choir to shame. Even the birds seemed to approve as cardinals and wrens and quail all joined in the song.

Despite the joyous worship, something weighed heavy on everyone’s hearts. A couple of days before the reunion, Grandpa’s brother, my great-uncle Ray, received news that he had cancer on his spine and it was serious. My grandpa is the oldest child left from his family. Already two of his siblings and a couple spouses, including my grandma, have gone on ahead of him. I have watched many times as my grandfather, a strong, determined, well-respected man, burst into tears at the pain of lost loved ones, and this weekend was no different. The day Uncle Ray arrived he told him the news, and my grandpa had once again crumbled into tears. Uncle Dan, the pastor of the group, stood up in front of the family congregation and told of the situation of his brother, Ray, and explained that we were going to pray for him as a family. Hands of all sorts rested on Uncle Ray’s shoulders, from those of young men and women not used to hard work, to those of my grandpa and his brothers and sons that had seen years of heavy farm labor. I looked up at Uncle Ray’s grandchildren and soon felt that burning sensation of welling up tears that matched the ones running down their faces. All around, the well-known strength of the Hardens was in a vulnerable position. One of our own was sick, and there was nothing we could do but call on the healing power of the God our family had served for generations. The tears shed were enough to cause a greater humidity than we are used to in dry southwest Kansas, but as we sang “It is Well,” one of my great-grandma’s favorites, the strength of God was restored in each one of us. While many hugged and cried together, I began to sing a song of hope and healing. Soon I had the family singing with me for the bridge and chorus: “Nothing is impossible for You; You hold my world in Your hands; I believe You’re my healer; I believe You are all I need.” I stopped playing guitar and as we finished the song singing a cappella, Ray’s oldest son, Myron, broke out in the perfect song: “He’s All I Need.” I put my guitar down and knelt beside my grandpa. As tears were streaming down his face, I grabbed his hand and held it. Despite his battle with Parkinson’s disease, his grip was strong and firm like his faith.

Uncle Dan stood and shared from the “parable of the sower,” an ideal passage for a group of family farmers, and one by one several of the others proved their “never at a loss for words” Harden ancestry by standing and sharing their own stories. Their long-winded speeches and recollections were complimented by the cool morning breeze and gentle shade of the old cedar trees that offered a comfortable temperature in which everyone was able to intently listen for such long periods of time. Cousins and grandchildren and uncles and aunts stood and recalled the lessons learned at that old house and how if it were not for their faith and relationship with Jesus Christ, they would never have made it through all the hard times. The adage that “you reap what you sow” was evident as the seeds of faith from my great-great-grandparents were reaped from the next four generations ending with the men and women of God that stood and shared that morning. Uncle Ray pleaded with us that the greatest decision we could ever make would be to have a relationship with Jesus. With the salty taste of tears in my mouth I wiped my eyes and glanced at all the related faces. Many had the same curly hair I was blessed with and the firm noses pointing straight to the ground, but despite our similarities, there were still differences. Some were at points of decision in their lives and I prayed that God would reach out and touch their hearts with the love that many of us had already accepted. I watched as the sun broke through the cedar branches and kissed the white hair of wisdom of some of my family members and I apprehended that what they were saying was the greatest wealth of wisdom that could ever be passed down in our family.

On that beautiful Sunday morning, the message of Christ’s love became more to me than the words my parents told me or even that my grandparents told me. I realized this message was a seed planted years ago on seemingly infertile Kansas soil that with the love and care of those who have gone before me had developed into a strong and flourishing family tree.

Group photo on Flickr

Since Flickr only lets me upload a certain number of photos for free each month, I have only got a few of them posted. But I have the group photo that I took in panoramic mode there. Clicking on the photo below will take you to the Flickr site, where you can chose "See all sizes" and download the photo in the large format if you like.

More pics from Yvonne

Since I could not be everywhere, it is nice to have these additional pics from Yvonne (Rich) Stone. Others can send me photos, too, but they should be sent as attachments and be of good size. At least 100K or more.

Yvonne's son, Hunter Stone, on the trailer ride Friday night. Also, her older son, Garrett, and it looks like Angela's daughter, Shayna Moore. And Yvonne's husband, Taylor, in the foreground.

Another angle of our group photo, this one taken from the side.

The rest of us wondering where we're going to sit or stand.

Terry's wife, Nancy Eubank, giving Nicholas a ride on the back of this impressive machine.

Angela (Rich) Moore and her aunt, Betty Eubank.

Brother and sister, Paul Eubank and Alice Rich.

Visiting outside the VFW: Keith Harden, Taylor Stone, and Paul Eubank.

This must have been at the back door of the VFW. Looks like the police station in the distance. Ray and Junior, Dan, Ashlee, Mary, and looks like Maryl behind her.

Just like the good old days, when kids would crowd around the computer to watch the latest YouTube video... I don't think the VFW had wifi, so Jared probably had some games on his computer.

Looks like Garrett is outmatched by Nicholas, Dalen and another boy.

Are these really all of Willis' grandkids? A multitude!

Terry Eubank gives Dalen and Hunter a ride in his amazing futuremobile!

Junior and Terry. How do people afford these things?

Uncle Dan and Jared at the museum. Can't make out who's behind them.

WWI gas mask donated by my great-grandfather Paul Harden. I think I mentioned before that his uniform is also here in the museum.

Random Cuteness

Whenever you get a bunch of kids together with some animals, there are bound to be cute pictures.

Mary had a litter of kittens running around, adding to our enjoyment. My mom took one home and named it Moses, perhaps because she plucked it from among the rushes. It may have been this one here. (Note: my mom confirms that this is indeed the kitten she adopted, and is much onerier than he looks here.)

Nicholas was keeping a kitten busy chasing a stick.

Sandy's grandson Dalen, during the morning trailer ride.

Hobbes was let out to enjoy the kids for a while. Hope he did...


Those kittens were so well-tempered, they would even let the little kids pick them up and hold them. They wouldn't have tried twice with my cat, Harry.

Now that's cuteness!

I guess this kitty had had enough of Dalen.

Dalen and Hunter Stone were taking turns annoy-- I mean, playing with, the kittens.

Another Hunter (two in the family!), Hunter Goss, Don Harden's grandson. I guess he had some soda pop. Sticky!

He looks ready to represent the Lollipop guild.

Your humble author. I let someone else use the camera for a change.

"Kittens... on my shoulder... make me happy..." This kitten looks a little nervous about being on Ken's shoulder, though.

Far be it for me to call Uncle Lloyd cute. But this motorcycle certainly is. I think it's called a Ford Thoroughbred (??) That's the kind of motorcycle I could drive. If the cab were completely enclosed, it would make a cool futuristic car! Ford, get on this. You may stay in business after all!

It certainly looks like a car. Or maybe a superluxury golf cart. Good picture!