Margaret Ann (Fraser) Harden, 84, of Cooter, Missouri, peacefully passed away at NEA Baptist Hospital in Jonesboro, Arkansas. She was the daughter of the late Tommy and Virginia (Fowler) Fraser.

Margaret grew up in the surrounding area and attended Hayti High School. On November 21, 1958, she married Charles Michael "Mike" Harden in Hayti, Missouri. Together, they were blessed with eight children. A loving and caring mother, grandmother, and great-great-grandmother, Margaret treasured her family. She also had a passion for rescuing animals, a love that was evident to anyone who visited her home.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Charles Michael "Mike" Harden, on July 4, 2015; her daughter, Cheryl Ann (Harden) Riggs, on April 1, 2025; and four siblings, Tommy, Ezelle, Betty, and Ginger.

Margaret will be lovingly remembered by her seven surviving children: John "Butch" Harden, Michael Lynn Harden, Sonja Kim Wiseman, Pamela Kaye Kennedy, Stephanie Noreen Shipley, Larry Steven Harden, and Barry Keith Harden. She also leaves behind 13 grandchildren: Phillip, AnnaBeth, Johnathan, Hailee, Christy, Chelsea, Eric, Kyle, Kaden, Tabitha, Rebeecca, Devin, and Blaine; 15 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, and other family members.

While her family's hearts are broken by her passing, they find comfort in knowing she is now in Heaven, reunited with her beloved husband, Mike, and the loved ones who went before her. Her family will forever cherish the memories, love, and legacy she leaves behind. Though Margaret will be deeply missed, her loved ones take comfort in the promise that this is not goodbye forever, but simply until they meet again. Please keep her family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 23, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. at the John W. German Funeral Home in Steele, with Brother Jimmy Lemonds officiating. The visitation will be from 10:30 a.m. until service time.  Burial will be at a later date at Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, Missouri.

Because of Margaret's love of animals, the family requests that donations in Margaret's memory be made to the Steele Animal Shelter, 101 S. Walnut Street, Steele, MO.