Ethel Harding Obituary

Ethel Verona Paraday was born March 28th 1907 to Cora Belle (Moler) Paraday and Felix Paraday. She was born at home at the homestead farm house on the East end of what is currently the Falcon Highway. She was 100 years and 5 months old at the time of her death. She spent the majority of her growing up life in the Ellicott/Calhan area. Ethel met Lawrence (Dusty) Harding who was her sister Nellie Maude's brother-in-law in 1925. It was love at first sight. They were married October 16, 1925. they ranched and farmed together from October 1925 until May 1961. There were 4 children born of this marriage. Lawrence (Skeet) Harding July 1926, Lorraine Belle (Harding) Morgan March 1930, Thelma Ann (Teddy) (Harding) (Houseman) Thomas June 1935 and last but not least Lonnie (Lon) Kay Harding March 1945. Dusty became ill with COPD Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and they were forced to sell their ranch which was located 4 miles south of Highway 24 on Soap Weed Road. They owned 1440 Acres of land and at one time tried Dairy and also sheep ranching. They moved into Calhan in 1961 after the sale of the ranch. Ethel worked as head cook at Ellicott School, 1952-1954. She also worked as Assistant cook from 1955-1956 at Calhan then graduated to head cook at Calhan from 1957-1972. She retired from cooking when she reached 65. Ethel was preceded in death by her husband of 39 years Lawrence (Dusty) in April 1964, her youngest son Lonnie (Lon) in January 2004, and a great grandson Terry Morgan in August of 2007. She is survived by Lawrence (Skeet) Harding, Lorraine Morgan, Thelma (Teddy) Thomas and Daughter-in-law Barbara Harding and seven grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, and six great-great-grandchildren. A visitation is scheduled from 4:00 – 7:00 pm, Wednesday, August 29, 2007, Swan-Law Funeral Home. Services are 11:00 am, Thursday, August 30, 2007, Living Word Church, 532 Colorado Avenue, Calhan, CO. Interment will follow at Calhan Cemetery.