Robert (Bob) Eugene Harding

Robert E. "Bob" Harding, age 82, Clark, died in the Golden Living Center at Clark on Saturday morning, January 28, 2012 after a lingering heart illness. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, February 2, 2012 at 2PM in the United Methodist Church at Clark with The Reverend Dayne Zachrison officiating. Burial with full military honors provided by the Smith-Cagley American Legion Post #60 and the South Dakota Air Army National Guard Honors Team will follow at the Rose Hill Cemetery at Clark. The organist will be Dorothy Fuller with special music provided by Robin Brown and David Warkenthien. All of Bob's many friends and family members should consider themselves as honorary casketbearers. The active casketbearers will be Alan and David Koch, Mark Foster, Michael Warkenthien, Jordan Hallberg and Andy Wookey. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 1, 2012 from 5-7 PM with Masonic Services at 7PM all at the Furness Funeral Home Chapel at Clark and after noon at the Church on Thursday. He was born Robert Eugene Harding on January 29, 1929 in a farm house north of Garden City, SD, the son of Archie and Phoebe (Gary) Harding. Archie had hitched up the bobsled and went to town to get Dr. Ash to assist in his birth. He grew to adulthood on a farm north of Garden City along with older brothers Merle and Glen and a sister Luena. He attended a country school for 8 years then graduated from Garden City High School in 1947. Bob moved to California with his brother, Glen, and worked for about 18 months in an electrical plant. He returned to the area and worked in Watertown at Packard Garage for a few years then returned to the farm and helped his dad farm. In 1951 he was drafted into the United State Army. While on a 10 day leave in 1951, following basic training, he was united in marriage to Joyce A. Koch at Watertown. He then was sent to Korea with the 45th infantry division and served his country honorably until 1953. They made their home in Watertown with Bob working at Cave Motor Supply. In 1954 they moved to a farm east of Clark and began his career in farming. They later moved to the Ross Williams farm where they continued farming, raising potatoes, cattle and hogs. To this union three children, Steve, Paul and Karen were born. Joyce died on December 2, 1991. A short time later he retired from farming. Another chapter of Bob's life began on April 12, 1997 when he was united in marriage to Carolyn Campbell Warkenthien. When Bob married Carolyn he inherited a large family so in addition to his own children, grandchildren and a great-granddaughter, Bob also gained Carolyn's 6 children, Lynda, David, Janet, Diane, Todd and Rick, but also many grandchildren and great grandchildren that have grown up knowing Bob as their grandpa. Bob and Carolyn have been living in Clark since their marriage. Bob was an active member, serving on various committees, of the Clark United Methodist Church, a dedicated lifetime member of the Smith-Cagley American Legion Post 60 of Clark- serving as Post Commander, District Vice Commander, District Commander and State Vice-Commander. He also was involved in other areas in the community serving 28 years on both the Farmer's Elevator Board and Clark Farm Mutual Insurance Board. Bob was a member of the Masonic Lodge, Mosaic Lodge #175 of Raymond, SD. Bob enjoyed woodworking, traveling, playing cards-especially with his buddies Everett, Bud and Bob, bowling, helping at the Legion Post in Clark and spending time with his family. Preceding him in death were his parents, wife, Joyce, siblings, Merle (Mabel), Glen, Gladys Margaret and a brother-in-law, Karrol Hendrickson. Grateful for having shared in his life is his wife Carolyn of Clark, children, Stephan Harding of Atlanta, GA, Paul (Jenni) Harding of Syracuse, NY and Karen (Fred) Alonzi of Bloomington, MN, Carolyn's children- Lynda (Tom) Gerhardt of Glendale, AZ, David (Carol) Warkenthien, Janet (Tom) Hallberg, Diane Burns, Todd (Tina) Warkenthien all of Clark and Rick (Lisa) Warkenthien of Hartford. He also leaves 7 grandchildren, Marissa (fiancé Ben), John (Allison), Katrina, William, Alta, Elizabeth, Freddy, and Carolyn's 18 grandchildren, Erin (Matt), John (Jennifer), Patrick (Stacy), Sarah (Eric), Michael, Laura, Ashley, Mackenzie (JF), Jordan, John (Elizabeth), Andy (Holly), Harrison, Meghan (fiancé Greg), Jenna, Molly, Victoria (Tom), Katherine and Jacqueline and a great-grandchild, Zoey, and Carolyn's great-grandchildren, Sophia, Natalie, Eva, Haylee, Ayden, Braedon, Avery, Bennett, Lyddia, Kaden, Kooper and Mason. His sister Luena Hendrickson of Clark also survives him along with a host of friends and other family. For further information please go to www.furnessfuneralhome.com