Joann Maxine Harding

JoAnn Maxine Harding, 84, of Topeka, passed away on May 19, 2022 at University of Kansas Health System - St. Francis Campus.

She was born on October 19, 1937 to Alfred and Noreena (Ritchal) Mathias in Lane, Kansas. JoAnn graduated from Pomona High School. She married Max Bolton in 1957. They later divorced.

JoAnn worked as a supervisor for business services for Southwestern Bell for 23 years before the company split and became AT&T. She then worked for one more year before retiring in 1983.

On June 21, 1978 she married James "Jim" A. Harding in Tecumseh, Kansas. He precedes her in death.

She was a former member of Third Christian Church in Topeka. JoAnn and her husband Jim loved to travel. They took many bus trip around the United States, but their favorite trips were to Alaska and to the Northeastern states to watch the leaves change. JoAnn loved to garden. She had a large vegetable garden and enjoyed planting flowers. JoAnn had numerous pets that she proudly took care of. She loved to spend time with her family and extended family. She and Jim did not know a stranger. They would invite you into their family and call you their own.

JoAnn is survived by her children, Scott (Gigi) Bolton, Steven (Judy) Bolton, Neil (Mary Lou) Harding, Rowena (Jimmy) McCauley, Lequetta "Cricket" (Tim) LeJeune; sister, Marjorie A. Mathias; 14 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James A. Harding; sons, Michael Harding, Jerry Bolton, Chester "Corky" Bolton, and Danny Bolton; brothers, David L. Mathias and Leo F. Mathias; grandson, Paul Stone; both of her parents; and previous husband, Max Bolton.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, May 24, 2022, 11:00 am to 12:00 pm at Parker-Price Cremations, Funerals & Receptions. Funeral service will follow at 12:00 pm. Interment will follow at West Lawn Memorial Gardens in Topeka.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Helping Hands Humane Society.