Family, friends and colleagues of Bartholomew County’s first female County Commissioner are mourning the loss of Juanita Harden.

Funeral services start today, April 13th, at 11 a.m. at Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home.

Nancy Ann Brown-Pointer, Columbus’ first female mayor and fellow Democrat, says that Harden was an asset to the community who will be sorely missed…

Brown-Pointer says that she and Harden were close even before they entered politics.

The former mayor talked about Harden’s legacy…

Harden served as a County Commissioner from 1982 – 1994. She helped design and establish the Bartholomew County flag, and served on the county planning commission. She was instrumental in establishing the Bartholomew County Juvenile Shelter.

County Commissioner Larry Kleinhenz served with Harden when he was first elected. He says that Harden was great to him when he first joined the Board of Commissioners.

Kleinhenz says that Harden’s family has carried on her legacy of service and helping others.

Harden served on the Bartholomew County Fair Board and helped organize and chair the first pie baking contest at the Bartholomew County Fair, which she later helped judge. She was a longtime member of the Grandview Extension Homemakers Club.

She lived at, and co-managed, the Columbus Youth Camp for 22 years, along with managing the camp kitchen.

For more information, go to www.jewellrittman.com