Laura Eloise Harkrader

February 8, 1933 - October 14, 2020

Laura Eloise Harkrader passed away October 14th, 2020 at the Morningstar Care Facility in Neodesha Ks due to complications from Dementia. Laura Eloise Harkrader was born on Feb. 8, 1933 in Elk City Kansas to Leon and Laura “Dean” Newkirk. She grew up in Elk City and graduated from Elk City High School in 1951. On March 8th, 1954, Eloise married Roy Harkrader Jr. They were married for 57 years when Roy passed away. They had two sons, three grandsons and 1 great granddaughter. Eloise was a lifetime homemaker with brief stints working at the Army Ammunition Plant in Parsons and the Key garment factory in Chanute. She also worked briefly as a cook at the Wilson County Correctional institution in Fredonia later in life. She loved cooking, gardening and dancing. Eloise and Roy went dancing almost every Saturday night for years in Altoona, Ks. She was active on the board of directors of Altoona Days Association that sponsored the dances until just a couple years ago. Eloise took great pride in providing baked goods for friends and relatives. Eloise was preceded in death by her husband, Roy Harkrader Jr., her parents, Leon and Laura Newkirk, a brother, Don Newkirk, a sister, Janette Bennett Thompson and a sister-in law Phyllis Newkirk. Eloise is survived by her sons, Randal and Regina Harkrader of Fredonia Ks., Robert and Janet Harkrader of New Strawn Ks., Three grandsons, Kevin Harkrader of Chanute, Ks., Allen Harkrader of Olathe, Ks., and Bryan and Kaysi Harkrader of Wichita, KS., and one Great Granddaughter, Lydia Harkrader. She is also survived by one brother, Dyarl Newkirk of Independence, Ks., a sister-in-law, Fran Newkirk Farley of Olathe, and many nieces and nephews. Funeral Service will be held on Monday, October 19, 2020 at 10:30 am at Countryside Funeral Home, Fredonia, KS Family will receive friends at visitation on Sunday, October 18, 2020 from 4-6 pm at the funeral home. Memorial contributions can be made to the Fredonia Senior Center or Altoona Days Association and can be mailed to or left with the funeral home. Services are entrusted to: Countryside Funeral Home, 420 S. 20th, P.O. Box 247, Fredonia, KS 66736