Michael Harden

Growin’ up a Kansas farm boy Life was mostly havin’ fun Ridin’ on his Daddy’s shoulders Beneath a warm Kansas sun. Yes, and joy was just the thing that he was raised on, Love is just the way to live and die, Gold is just a windy Kansas wheat field And blue is just a Kansas summer sky. by John Denver…

Michael Willis Harden, the son of Willis Myron and Velmaree (Riner) Harden, was born, March 29, 1949, in Ashland, Kansas. Mike and his siblings Ruth, Paul, Phil and Jim, grew up on the family farm/ranch northeast of Ashland. They were the fourth generation to have lived in the farmhouse that was built in 1908. Mike was born with strong-will, and the oldest of his siblings. By the age of ten, he was driving a tractor. He attended Ashland schools, kindergarten through high school, graduating with the AHS Class of 1967. He played football for the Ashland Bluejays, he acted in class plays, and he drove way too fast in his ‘57 Chevy. His college years were spent at Kansas State University and Dodge City Community College where he received a degree in Business Management. He married, was divorced, and remained a faithful, dedicated dad to his children, Wesley, Melissa and Charles Harden.Early in 1989, Mike was introduced to Gayle Petty Harris at the ‘Old Weigh Station’, a restaurant in Sitka, Kansas. Gayle was born and raised just east, in the little neighboring town of Protection. Mike and Gayle graduated high school the same year, from rival schools at that. Gayle had taken on a second job, which was, waiting tables at Sitka. In Mike’s own words, “I didn’t ‘tip’ her, and she thought I ‘snubbed’ her, so she was going to ‘show’ me.”“She’s the winner!”

Mike and Gayle were married November 25, 1989, in the First Church of God, Ashland, Kansas. Mike gained two more sons, Brenton and Brian Harris. They made their home in Ashland, where their marriage grew in love, respect, and support for one another. Their first trip together, to Hawaii, triggered interest in travel and sightseeing, and throughout the years they managed trips in the USA, Canada, Europe and the British Isles. There were numerous fun-filled gathering hosted at Lexington, which included trail rides along Bluff Creek, country church services in the pasture, campfire singing, cowboy poetry, hayrides, and sometimes just saddling up the horses for a ride.‘ A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own labor. This too, I see, is from the hand of God.’ (Ecclesiastes 2:24)

Being with family brought ‘joy’ to Mike, and his ‘pride’ was in the growing numbers of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He invited them to farm auctions, farm shows, NRA meetings, concerts, museums, swimming and relaxing in motels and the list continues on. They were his ‘top hands’ working cattle, and WILL ‘back a stock trailer straight’ now. He attended as many of their activities and events as possible. His love was genuine for each of them as he felt real family was shaped by love and actions not solely by blood. Mike was a lifetime farmer/rancher, with his grit and determination he was able to carve out a very nice living for his family. He rose above the challenges life threw at him, and he never hesitated in hiring anyone asking for a job. It has been said to us, “Mike Harden could make a man out of a boy.” Maybe, those boys just needed his encouragement. He could be a little demanding, he voiced his opinion quite often, and he stood his ground when he felt he was right. He lead an active role in the Ashland community, standing up for ‘accountability’ and ‘the right thing to do’. He gained knowledge through researching and trust, and he never failed in doing what needed to be done. Mike headed into the fire, not retreating.

Mike Harden had integrity, he served on several local boards: Clark County Farm Bureau, Ashland Oil, Ashland Hospital, Pioneer/Krier Museum, Clark County Farm Service Agency. He attended the First Church of God in Ashland, Kansas, and he served on the church board. His dad, Willis Harden, had given out ‘Tootsie Rolls’. Mike continued honoring that memory by doing the same, even adding the delicious caramel taste of ‘Werthers Originals’. Mike was a devout Christian believing in a Resurrected Savior, Jesus Christ.“He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life and no one comes to God except through Him” (John 14:6).Mike shared time with God in nature and the outdoors. His life was an adventure, an unpredictable journey filled with challenges and joys. God called him home, he left us on a beautiful Sunday afternoon surrounded by his loved ones, May 25, 2025. He will be greatly missed. Mike’s legacy is one of strength and determination. His memory will continue to live on in all who knew and loved him. God gave us you for the ups and downs God gave us you for the days of doubt And for when we think we lost our way, there are no words here left to say, it’s true God gave us you He gave us you by Blake Shelton…Mike was 76 years old, and preceded in death by his parents, Willis and Velmaree Harden. He is survived by his beloved wife, Gayle Harden of the home; children, Wes (Shelly) Harden, Melissa (Jess) Riopel, Charles (Salina) Harden, Brent Harris, Brian (Angela) Harris; grandchildren, 30 (including their spouses); great-grandchildren, 21 and counting; siblings, Ruth Patterson, Paul (Linda) Harden, Philip (Pamela) Harden, James ‘Jim’ Harden. Uncle Dan and Aunt Leigh Harden, along with several nieces and nephews, numerous relatives and a lifetime of friends.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests, a kind deed. Memorials may be sent to the Ashland First Church of God, PO Box 685, Ashland, Kansas 67831.Honorary Pallbearers: Sons: Wes Harden, Charles Harden, Brent Harris and Brian Harris. Grandsons: Kaler Hazen, Tyler Riopel, Taylon Harris, Grant Harden, Charlie Riopel, and Jack Harden. Interment will be Protection Cemetery, Protection, Kansas.

Memorial service will be held at the First Church of God, Ashland, Kansas, on Saturday May 31, 2025 at 10:30AM.