Age 85, of Flushing, passed away on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. In accordance with her wishes cremation has taken place. Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family on Carolyn’s tribute wall at detroitcremationsociety.com.

Carolyn Kay Harden was born on August 27, 1940, in Piedmont, Missouri, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph and Beulah (Keith) Bruce. She married James Leroy Harden on August 18, 1961. They were married for 54 years. She had a love for God, family, friends and animals. Carolyn loved surprise visits with good conversations. She took pride in her beautiful yard full of vibrant flowers, Hostas and her multiple Rose of Sharon, which were wrapped by a good fence to keep out strange dogs. Bustling cookouts, bonfires, which included roasted hotdogs and S’mores. Her excited grandchildren loved the sugary sweets that she always had. Carolyn loved her cats Maisey, which one minute she might attack visitors or be sweet as sugar. Rhett, the kitten, that she rescued and Morris, her outside stray that she always fed and enjoyed seeing. She loved cooking, shopping, especially enjoying garage sales. The Golden Rule, kindness and compassion for those in need. Her favorite Bible verses, John 3:16 and Joshua 1:9. She was known for sneaking someone an occasional $20.00 bill that no one else saw.

Left to cherish her memory are her children, Shelly (Dane) Yntema, Todd (Mary) Harden, Jamie (Dave) VanBrocklin, Steve (Margie) Harden; her siblings, Don (Barbara) Bruce, Gary (Sharon) Bruce, Terry Bruce and his girlfriend Vera Cornack; her best friend of 71 years, Pat Martin; her special neighbor, Patty Klish; her beloved 9 grandchildren and 11 great great-grandchildren; and her many extended family, friends, and neighbors.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her husband, Jim “James” Harden; her sister, Gloria and Gloria’s husband, Charles Kneir; her brother, Larry Bruce and Larry’s wife, Diana; her sister in-law, Sharon Bruce; her son in-law, Dane Yntema; her daughter in-law, Mary Harden; and her granddaughter, Racheal McNamara.

A Celebration of Life will take place on Carolyn’s birthday, August 27, 2026, at Flushing Park.