Josephine Lillian Harkrider

Josephine Lillian Hanzl Harkrider, 90, of Tulsa, passed away on Wednesday, September 25th, at St. Francis Hospital. Jo was born in Sweetwater, Texas, on April 29, 1934, to Joseph Anton and Anna Rohous Hanzl. Jo was a 1952 graduate of Roby, TX, high school. After graduation, she moved to Midland, TX, and lived briefly with her aunt and uncle while she worked for Sinclair Oil and Gas Company. She soon moved into her own apartment, and during the move Jo met the love of her life, George Harkrider. The handsome young man in an army uniform helped her move into her apartment, and moved into her life for the next 52 years. When their family began to grow, Jo embraced her role as full-time caregiver, raising their two sons and caring for her mother for over 30 years. George worked for Amoco Corporation for over 30 years, relocating the family from Texas to New Mexico and ultimately to Tulsa, OK. They were active members of Memorial Drive United Methodist Church in Tulsa, where they both enjoyed participating in the annual Mystery Dinner Theater. Jo not only volunteered in the church office, she managed all the office volunteers. She managed the altar flowers coordination for many years, and served with a few other ladies to organize special events such as baby showers and wedding showers. Jo was an active member of Oklahoma Home and Community Education Tulsa County for over 30 years, where she was able to use her love of sewing to create items that were donated to the community. She also created many items for competition in the annual Tulsa County Free Fair, where she won numerous ribbons, over a third of them blue ribbons. One of her favorite crafts was making "Merry Mouse," a fabric-covered liter bottle decorated as an adorable "granny" mouse. At one time, there was such a demand for her mice, she and George explored leasing store space to sell them. Jo and George were avid square dancers for many years, and she enjoyed making her own dance outfits. When Jo got a computer, she loved creating her own greeting cards. She would spend hours creating the "perfect" birthday/anniversary/special occasion card for family members and friends. After George retired in 1991, they enjoyed traveling to various places, including Vermont, to see the changing fall foliage, New Orleans, and the Pacific Northwest. One of the things she looked forward to most on each trip was finding beautiful gardens with brightly colored flowers to enjoy. Seeing the Buchart Gardens in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, was a true highlight. Jo was preceded in death by her parents, her three infant brothers, and her husband. She is survived by her children Carl (Dorothy) Harkrider of Frisco, TX, and Cary (Julie) Harkrider of Tulsa, OK;grandchildren Lauren (Brandon) Beechly of Frisco, TX, Brent (Casey) Harkrider of Newport, NC, Donna (Phil DeCoster) Harkrider of Lawrence, KS, Austin Harkrider of Tulsa, OK, and Bailey (Tyler Dohrn) Harkrider of Oklahoma City, OK; great-grandchildren Reagan and Lincoln Beechly of Frisco, TX, Hudson Harkrider of Newport, NC, and Rhodes Harkrider, expected in November, of Newport, NC. Visitation will be Saturday, October 5th, from 9:30-11:00am at Moore's Southlawn Chapel in Tulsa, OK. The funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 5th, at 11:00am at Moore's Southlawn Chapel in Tulsa, OK, followed by burial at Memorial Park Cemetery in Tulsa, OK.

Josephine Lillian Harkrider

April 29, 1934 - September 25, 2024