Obituary for Gerald Roy Harden
Gerald Roy Harden passed early in the morning on December 27, 2022, at Western Nebraska Veterans Home in Scottsbluff, NE. Gerald had been a member of the Vets home from October 21, 2020, until his passing. His service will be held at a later date. Online condolences may be made by viewing Gerald’s memorial page at www.bridgmanfuneralhome.com Bridgman Family Funeral Home has been entrusted with services.
Gerald was born in Scottsbluff, NE to Roy Jason Harden and Ellen Mabel (Brott) Harden on November 2, 1939. He enlisted in the US Navy December 20, 1956 and was stationed at US. NAS North Island, San Diego, California. He received an honorable discharge January 3, 1958 due to hardship in his family.
Gerald married Maggie Barnes on April 21, 1977, in Gering, Nebraska. They bought their first home in Gering before deciding to move to the country. They then bought an acreage by the Scottsbluff National Monument, in a beautiful setting by the North Platte River. The property included rentals, which they updated. After 33 years and so many compliments of how nice it looked, they decided to sell the Mobile Home Park and other acreages they had purchased. Gerald and Maggie also raised baby calves (Maggie did all the work for raising them) and then started a small herd of cows and calves.
Gerald also had another business, Harden Trenching and Welding Inc. He retired from this business about 10 years ago. He so enjoyed working for local businesses such as Midwest Farm, Sloane Irrigation, and local ranchers and farmers. His sons, Jason and Brian, helped put in irrigation pipe work with Gerald on weekends and summers. Their help was always available when needed. Both boys were able to drive truck and operate a trencher with even Maggie installing irrigation pipe on occasion. His boys (Jason and Brian) were the best blessing in his life.
Gerald loved his sports and the Broncos. He never missed a race at Highway 92 Raceway. Brian raced for many years and Gerald was able to be at his last race. Gerald kept some of Brian’s trophies at the Veterans home which made him smile when he saw them. He so missed not being able to see Brian racing in Vintage #31.
Gerald is survived by his children Jason Todd Harden (Livia) of Brighton, MI; Brian Roy Harden (Joni) of Gering, NE, Becky Marshall (Scott) of Kersey, CO, Sheri Bigner (Chuck) of Niceville, FL and Deanna Harden of KY; grandchildren Oliver and Bentley Harden of Brighton, MI, Dani McCannon (Gabe) of Greeley, CO, Brittany Rollins (Kyle) of Greeley, CO, Christian Bigner (Alexis) of Niceville, FL, Landon Bigner of Niceville, FL, Dustin, Ashley, and Stefan of KY; great grandchildren Kaya and Ethan McCannon of Greeley, CO, Ressa, Savannah and Wynston Rollins of Greeley, CO; brother Delbert Harden (Carol) of Gering, NE and numerous nieces and nephews.
Gerald is preceded in death by his parents; brother Don Harden and sisters Audrey Hellger, Joyce Scoefield, Doris Smith and Twila Grippen.
Our family is so thankful for the excellent care he received at Western Nebraska Veterans Home. All I can say is a great big Thank You! You are all wonderful and treated us with so much care and compassion because (my Gerald) could be a handful!
Gerald was born in Scottsbluff, NE to Roy Jason Harden and Ellen Mabel (Brott) Harden on November 2, 1939. He enlisted in the US Navy December 20, 1956 and was stationed at US. NAS North Island, San Diego, California. He received an honorable discharge January 3, 1958 due to hardship in his family.
Gerald married Maggie Barnes on April 21, 1977, in Gering, Nebraska. They bought their first home in Gering before deciding to move to the country. They then bought an acreage by the Scottsbluff National Monument, in a beautiful setting by the North Platte River. The property included rentals, which they updated. After 33 years and so many compliments of how nice it looked, they decided to sell the Mobile Home Park and other acreages they had purchased. Gerald and Maggie also raised baby calves (Maggie did all the work for raising them) and then started a small herd of cows and calves.
Gerald also had another business, Harden Trenching and Welding Inc. He retired from this business about 10 years ago. He so enjoyed working for local businesses such as Midwest Farm, Sloane Irrigation, and local ranchers and farmers. His sons, Jason and Brian, helped put in irrigation pipe work with Gerald on weekends and summers. Their help was always available when needed. Both boys were able to drive truck and operate a trencher with even Maggie installing irrigation pipe on occasion. His boys (Jason and Brian) were the best blessing in his life.
Gerald loved his sports and the Broncos. He never missed a race at Highway 92 Raceway. Brian raced for many years and Gerald was able to be at his last race. Gerald kept some of Brian’s trophies at the Veterans home which made him smile when he saw them. He so missed not being able to see Brian racing in Vintage #31.
Gerald is survived by his children Jason Todd Harden (Livia) of Brighton, MI; Brian Roy Harden (Joni) of Gering, NE, Becky Marshall (Scott) of Kersey, CO, Sheri Bigner (Chuck) of Niceville, FL and Deanna Harden of KY; grandchildren Oliver and Bentley Harden of Brighton, MI, Dani McCannon (Gabe) of Greeley, CO, Brittany Rollins (Kyle) of Greeley, CO, Christian Bigner (Alexis) of Niceville, FL, Landon Bigner of Niceville, FL, Dustin, Ashley, and Stefan of KY; great grandchildren Kaya and Ethan McCannon of Greeley, CO, Ressa, Savannah and Wynston Rollins of Greeley, CO; brother Delbert Harden (Carol) of Gering, NE and numerous nieces and nephews.
Gerald is preceded in death by his parents; brother Don Harden and sisters Audrey Hellger, Joyce Scoefield, Doris Smith and Twila Grippen.
Our family is so thankful for the excellent care he received at Western Nebraska Veterans Home. All I can say is a great big Thank You! You are all wonderful and treated us with so much care and compassion because (my Gerald) could be a handful!