Evanna "Van" Jo (Adams) Harden

Evanna Jo “Van” Harden passed away Feb. 7, 2021, in Fremont, MI, at the age of 82 years.  Van was born April 27, 1938 in Plainwell, MI to Max and Josephine Adams. She attended Manistee Public Schools in Manistee, MI and graduated from Manistee High School in 1956. Van went on to attend Kalamazoo College, where she graduated with a music degree. She then went on to earn her Master’s at Wayne State University. A retired teacher, Van began her teaching career with Reading Public Schools in Reading, MI and spent many years teaching music at Muskegon Public Schools in Muskegon, MI. 

Van married Gary Harden on June 11, 1961 in Hillsdale, MI. The couple moved to Muskegon, MI in the late 1960s. Van was a devoted mother and an avid crafter. She crocheted hundreds of clothes and blankets over the years and lent her talents to the Crafters’ Club of First Congregational Church in Fremont. Van loved to travel, having journeyed to countries including Egypt, Israel and Turkey. She was a member of the St. Cecilia Music Club, White River Dog Club and Port City Playhouse. A swim coach for the Muskegon Family YFCA, she also gave swim lessons in her backyard pool for years. She loved to sing and was a longtime choir director of McGraft Congregational Church in Muskegon and was also a member of the Newaygo County Community Choir. She later became a member of First Congregational Church in Fremont, where she was a choir member and Deaconess.

Van is preceded in death by her mother, father and husband. Her beautiful life will forever be cherished in the lives of her children Kara Lee Harden of Muskegon and Kevin Robert Harden of Fremont; Four grandchildren: Zachary Wayne Jacobsen of Muskegon, MI, Maxwell Harden of Niles, MI, Misty Harden of Austin, TX, Amanda Stout (Matt Stout), of Whitehall, MI; Great-grandchildren: Eli Stout, Nolan Stout; Cousin Harvey Bender (Bonnie Bender) of Martin, MI and a host of friends.

A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, February 20, 2021 at McGraft  Congregational Church in Muskegon with Pastor Mark Olsen officiating. Masks will be required. Memorial contributions can be made to the American Diabetes Association. You can sign the online guest book at www.kroeze-wolffis.com.  Arrangements are by Kroeze-Wolffis Funeral Home, Inc. of Fremont.

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