Rodonna Harden

Funeral Services for RoDonna M. Harden will be conducted from the First United Methodist Church in Holdrege, Nebraska on Thursday, December 18, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. with Reverend Buck Linton-Hendrick and Pastor Murray Jones, officiating. Interment will be in the Prairie Home Cemetery at Holdrege.

RoDonna Marjorie Harden, 77 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away on Monday, December 15, 2008 at the Phelps Memorial Health Center in Holdrege. RoDonna was born November 24, 1931 at Stromsburg, Nebraska, the third of four children of Conrad R. and D. Marjorie (Quinn) Lindholm. RoDonna grew up on a farm in Polk County and received her primary education from Rural School District #45. She then graduated from Polk High School with the class of 1949. RoDonna's teaching career began in Polk County, teaching at District #46 for two years. She then pursued higher education at Kearney State College at Kearney, Nebraska. RoDonna received her Bachelor's Degree in Education in 1955 and in the years to come she focused on graduate classes taking 36 credit hours at Kearney State.

On June 12, 1955 she was united in marriage to Robert D. Harden at Polk, Nebraska and to this union two sons were born: Deron Robert and Duane Roger. The family made their home in Holdrege, where RoDonna continued her teaching career with Holdrege Public Schools from 1955 until her retirement in 1992. RoDonna primarily taught first grade and many friendship bonds were formed throughout the years with faculty and students. RoDonna was honored with the Master's Teachers Award in 1982.

She was a 50+ year member of First United Methodist Church in Holdrege, where RoDonna was currently serving on the Administrative Council, was active through the years teaching Sunday school, served as Trustee, volunteered on various committees, and was actively involved with the United Methodist Women. RoDonna was also a member of the Zeta Chi Alpha Social Sorority in college and later a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, honorary teacher society. She was a member of Business and Professional Women and of HEA, NSEA, and NEA teacher associations. She was also involved in Garden Club, Extension Clubs, and enjoyed her friends in the Monday Morning Coffee Group, (also known as "The Board of Directors"). RoDonna volunteered with the Hospital Service League and the Red Cross Bloodmobile. She was a member of the Tre Kronar Scandinavian Society in Holdrege and Bob and RoDonna were honored to be selected as the Swedish Days King and Queen in 1997. She loved tending to her flower garden, sewing, camping with the family and spending time doing crafts.

She leaves to mourn her passing her husband, Bob of Holdrege; son, Duane Harden and his wife, Tammie of Hagerstown, Maryland; six grandchildren: Daniel and Jillian Harden of Hastings, Nebraska, Tyler Harden of Abilene, Texas, and Nathan, Ryan and Lauren Harden all of Hagerstown; one brother, Wayne Lindholm and his wife, Doris of Lincoln, Nebraska; one sister, Cella Quinn and her husband, Mac McCallum, of Omaha, Nebraska; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Deron on November 3, 2008; and brother, Delwyn Lindholm and his wife, Lois.

RoDonna will lie in state at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege on Wednesday, December 17, 2008 from 1:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

A memorial will be established in RoDonna's name to create a scholarship for students interested in the teaching field or can be given to the First United Methodist Church, Nebraska Children's Home or the Nebraska Prairie Museum.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.