Patricia J. Harden

Patricia Joan Harden, 81, of Galesburg, died at 10:28 p.m. Sunday, October 3, 2021 at Seminary Manor, Galesburg. Patricia was born in Monmouth, IL on April 4, 1940, the youngest daughter of Ollie and Birdie (Honsman) Cutliff.  She was preceded in death by her parents, 4 brothers, and 6 sisters (2 in infancy).  She graduated from Monmouth High School in 1958.  She married Gary G. Harden of Raritan, IL on March 17, 1960.  They have 4 children, Gary, Jr. at home; Cherie L. Rodriguez of Westfield, MA; Melanie R. of Macomb, IL; and John at home.  She is also survived by 2 sisters, Donna (Charles) Turley of Hamilton, MT, and Marlene Rinker of Monmouth, IL; 8 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews.  She followed her husband during his Naval career before returning home to Galesburg in 1978.Patricia was baptized in Colonial Baptist Church, Galesburg in 1979.  She enjoyed a variety of crafts especially needle point and reading.  She as a charter member of the Rail City Ramblers Camping Club.  After her husband retired in 2004 they traveled almost every summer working in different locales: 4 summers at Adventureland Amusement Park, Altoona, IA; 3 winters in Mission, TX; 2 summers in the Giford Pinchot National Forest at Carson, WA; a summer at the Crazy Horse Memorial in South Dakota;  a summer in the Juneau, AK; a summer vacation to Alaska; and 1 summer in Bar Harbor, ME at Acadia National Park. Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, October 7, 2021 at Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg.  A prayer service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, October 9, 2021 at the Thomas Legacy Center at Watson Thomas Funeral Home with a celebration of life following until 1 p.m.  Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or the Alzheimer’s Association.