Funeral services for Frank E. Harding, age 102, of Mullen, Nebraska, will be held on June 14, 2024, at 10:30 AM Mountain Time at the Lariat Auditorium, with burial at Cedarview Cemetery and a lunch following at the Lariat. Fr. Steve Meysing will officiate. Visitation will be on June 13th from 5pm to 7pm MDT at St. Joseph's Episcopal Church. Govier Brothers Mortuary/Mullen Funeral Home are in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.govierbrothers.com
Frank passed away on March 26, 2024, at Great Plains Hospital in North Platte, Nebraska.
Frank was born February 15, 1922, in Mullen, Nebraska, to Lester L. and Pearl Crain Harding on their ranch southwest of Mullen. He attended District #4 Hooker County School southwest of Mullen for 8 years. He was active in one of the first 4H clubs in Hooker County. He attended Hooker County High School in Mullen and was chosen to attend the first Boys State Program in 1938. Frank graduated from Hooker County High School in 1939.
After high school, Frank worked on the Harding ranch until the beginning of WWII. In 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served with the Navy’s 7th Fleet in the South Pacific. He earned a bronze star in the Battles of the Bismarck Sea, a bronze battle star in the New Guinea Campaign, a bronze star during the initial invasion of the Philippines on Oct. 20, 1944, and a bronze battle star during the Naval battle near Leyte Harbor when the Japanese Fleet was finally defeated.
Frank was discharged from the U.S. Navy on Dec. 22, 1945, but remained in the Naval Reserve for 4 more years. After the war, Frank bought some land and formed a partnership, the Harding Cattle Company, with his brother Forrest and father Lester Harding.
On March 17, 1956, Frank married Iva Tucker Malony. They had two daughters, Patricia Ann and Karen Marie. In 1960, they purchased the Garrett place west of Mullen. Frank was a charter member of the Hooker County Agricultural Society and served on the Mullen Public School Board from 1962-1968 at the time the new high school was built. He helped organize the Mullen Fire District and served as its first treasurer. He served as Hooker County Commissioner for over 30 years. Frank assisted in nearly every County Government Day since 1955. He became a member of the St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church in 1962 and was very active in the church. He joined the American Legion Marcy Upton Post #109 in 1946 and served in most offices through the years. At the time of his death, he was the Post Chaplain. He was a member of the firing squad for military funerals and Memorial Day.
His wife Iva passed away on June 16, 1975. He married Beth Simonson Anders on Feb. 24, 1979. They lived on his ranch west of Mullen until they retired in 1984 and moved into Beth’s house in Mullen.
Frank and Beth were active in community affairs. They were on the Cedarview Cemetery board for several years and were the co-chairmen of the Hooker County Centennial Celebration in 1989. They helped restore the old Commercial Hotel and establish the Hooker County Historical Society’s Old Hotel Museum. He wrote several “History Moment” articles for the Hooker County Tribune.
Frank was preceded in death by his parents, his wives Iva and Beth, stepdaughter Sandra Norton, brother Forrest and sister-in-law Jean Harding.
He is survived by daughters Patricia (Steve) Gannon and Karen (Harold) Juzenas, stepdaughter Cheryl (Jim) O/Brien, stepsons Richard (Nancy) Anders, Charles (Karen) Anders, and Gary (Becky) Anders, many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends. He loved them all.
In lieu of flowers, it is suggested that donations be given to either St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church or the Hooker County Historical Society.