HARDING, Albert "Al" V., age 92

Died: Friday, June 26th, 2015

A private family service will be held at a later date to celebrate Albert's life.

Albert "Al" Victor Harding, age 92, went home to his Savior on June 24, 2015 at the Wisconsin Veterans Home at Chippewa Falls. Despite great physical pain he lived to the end with courage, grace, and dignity. Despite memory problems he rarely forgot to show gratitude to family and to staff at the Veterans home, where he was loved by many.

Albert was born in Seattle, Washington on February 7, 1923 to the late Albert and Kathryn (Kostrometinoff) Harding. He helped support his family during the Great Depression as they moved around the Western states, thinking it a great adventure!

Always patriotic, Albert joined the Navy and was called to active duty in January 1943. During the war he served as Chief Petty Officer in Argus 22, an elite Naval unit that established forward radar and airbase operations as part of the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign.

He received part of his Naval training at Iowa State University where he met Lorraine Heinz of St. Paul, MN. They were married in St. Paul on March 12, 1946. He always said, "I married above myself" and credited Lorraine for the loving home and family she created for Al and their children.

Albert and Lorraine moved to Eau Claire, WI in 1951 where they raised their seven children. He was president of the Jr. Chamber of Commerce in 1957. Al worked until his 90^th birthday, starting in mechanics and trucking, then insurance, and ending as a driver for a van service where he brought joy to many disabled and elderly people.

Al was a man of faith who felt richly blessed. He was fiercely independent, eager to help, slow to complain, an excellent teacher, able to fix anything, an avid bowler until age 91, always on the move yet ever ready to sit and visit over pie and coffee. His greatest joy in life was his family - he gave all his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren the sure knowledge that they were loved and that he was proud of them.

He is survived by his children, Linda (George) Pehler, Kathryn (John) Wile, Elizabeth (Daniel) Walton all of Eau Claire, Patricia (Cortland) Johnsen of Benicia, CA and Timothy (Lisa) Harding of Mondovi; sister, Miriam Downey of Omak,Washington; many beloved grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Al was preceded in death by his wife, Lorraine; sister, Kathryn "Betty" Hurlbert; and sons, Mark and David Harding.