Reva “Jean” Harden passed away peacefully with her family near her side on Friday, September 11, 2020 at CRMC in Coffeyville, Kansas.
Reva Jean was born on April 5, 1927 in Rural Craig County, Oklahoma to Irvin Monroe and Verdna Azilca (Jones) Rexwinkle. Jean was one of five children. As a young girl she enjoyed riding her favorite horse, Dan and she often went with her dad, I. M. on cattle drives. Jean and her family lived just a hop, skip and jump into Oklahoma from the bordering Rural Labette County, Kansas line. Jean completed her elementary education at Pleasant View School and received her High School Diploma from Edna High School in Edna, Kansas. She also attended Coffeyville Community College.
As a young woman, she worked in the office at the Parson’s Livestock Auction. On July 2, 1947 she married Wilbur Harden. Rural life and community were deeply instilled in the couple, making their home in the same area where they were raised. With the help of their two children they built a feedlot operation plus farmed many acres. The couple not only worked together they played together, both bowling on their bowling leagues for many years; weekend trips to the lake, boating, skiing with family and friends. Hard work, love, passion and teamwork were a part of their everyday life. In April of 1996 Wilbur preceded Jean in death just shy of their 50th Wedding Anniversary.
In 1973 Jean began selling Avon for about 30 years. This was more than an opportunity to earn a little extra, it was an opportunity that allowed for friendships to be formed, friendships that lasted a lifetime.
Her family treasures her many talents, that now are tangible memories of crocheted table clothes, dollies and afghans. With the holidays approaching, warm and comforting memories will be stirred with the smells that filled her home, of warm baked cookies and homemade candies. Her grandchildren will miss the time she spent playing card games or dominoes with them.
Jean was a member of the VFW Women’s Auxiliary in support of her husband, Wilbur and others that served in the armed forces.
Family was the most important part of Jean’s life and she treasured each of them as they have her. Inspired by the mother who taught them are her children; Marcella and her husband Tim McWhirt, Wendell Harden and his wife Kay; grandchildren, Tisha and her husband Scott Willis, Curtis McWhirt and his wife Michelle, Bradley McWhirt, Christie her husband Paul Deaton, Ryan Harden, Chad Harden and his wife Breann, Wendy and her husband Shane Brooks; great grandchildren, Trace and Tegan McWhirt, Joshua and Faith Willis, Ava Mc Whirt, Christopher Deaton and his wife Miranda, Cortney and her husband Travis McClure, Jacob Billups, Tyler Brownlee, Walker Harden, Alissa Anders, Reaghan and Tyler Vail, Jace Harden, Dyllan Harden, Schuyler and Garrett Brooks, Logan and Ella Harden; great great grandchildren, Carter, Emmalyn, Maclin, Deaton, Abel and Gracelyn; siblings, Virginia Colleen Hoppock,
Ivan Monroe Rexwinkle, Karen Kay Pogue. In addition to her husband, and parents she was preceded in death by her granddaughter, Leann Kay Harden and her sister, Billie Jo Morgan.
Graveside services will be held on Friday, September 18, 2020 at 2 pm at the North Edna Cemetery, north of Edna, Kansas on Jackson Road. Pastor Randy DePriest of First Assembly of God of Coffeyville will officiate. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7pm on Thursday, September 17 at Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel, 2405 Woodland Ave., Coffeyville. The family has requested memorial contributions be made payable to St. Jude Affiliate Clinic at The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis and may be left in care of the chapel. To leave an online message of condolence for the family visit www.fordwulfbrunschapel.com
