Luella Harding

Luella M. "Lolly" Harding, 83, of Del Rio passed from this life in Angleton, Texas on August 20, 2016 surrounded by her extended family. She was born in Cascade, Iowa on March 13, 1933 to Edmond George and Cleo Lasche.

Left to cherish her memory are her sisters, Philly Appleby & husband, Don of Iowa and Janie Freel of Michigan; sister-in-laws, Louetta Abeling and Parma Lasche both of Iowa; extended family, Alan Autenrieth & wife, Mary K. of West Columbia, Josh Autenrieth & wife, Sara and their children, Drake and Gage, all of West Columbia, Matt Autenrieth & wife, Jenna and their daughter, Zoey of Katy; and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Dr. Tom "Doc" Harding; brothers, John and Chuck Lasche; and sister, Ann Burger & her husband, Ernie.

A memorial service will be held on August 26, 2016 at New Shores Baptist Church at 5:00 pm with Brother John Bible officiating.

Lolly was born on a farm in Cascade, Iowa and grew up in that community. Lolly excelled in sports with basketball as her favorite. This showed in later years as she would always want to play ball with Drake and Gage. She graduated Valedictorian of her high school class. She became a nun and then attended Georgetown University to obtain a BS in Nursing, becoming a Missionary Nurse in Pakistan and then in home for unwed mother in Philadelphia. After 13 years, she left the order and joined the US Air Force Nurse Corp with the rank of Captain. She served in Vietnam from 1966 to 1972 as an Evacuation Flight Nurse, and gained the rank of Captain. Over this time she experienced more trauma than one would care to know. She returned to the states to California, then Texas air bases. While based in Laughlin AFB in Del Rio, Texas, some friends set her up on a blind date with Dr. Tom Harding, a local veterinarian. After a four week courtship, she resigned her USAF Commission and they were married. Lolly and Tom lived on his family's ranch near Del Rio for the next 28 years. Tom passed away in 2001 and Lolly continued operating the ranch until this year.

Lolly accepted and loved our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, in 1977. She took every opportunity to share his love and name in places where she went. She would leave flyers around town, showing people how to receive the LORD. She was a very generous person and a real people person, she never met a stranger. We will miss her loving heart, hugs, smile, and candor. Heaven will be a more interesting place with her presence.

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