Ellen Lucille Harkrader

Devoted wife, mother, and grandmother Ellen Lucille "Mimi" Harkrader peacefully entered the Lord's embrace on Monday, December 31, 2018 in Hughson. Her bright smile and caring heart will be missed by so many who loved her.

Lucy was born to Rufus and Irene Dickens on November 18, 1933 in the small farming town of Stella, Missouri. As a young girl, she and her family made their way to California, eventually settling in Modesto. In her late teens, Lucy met the love of her life, Bob Harkrader, while cruising 10th Street, as so many did back then. Lucy and Bob married, and had five children together.

For over two decades, Lucy worked as a lab technician at Stanislaus Foods in Modesto. She was respected and admired by her colleagues. Lucy also spent many years helping Bob with the family trucking business.

What Lucy loved most was her family. As a young mother, she served on the PTA at Everett Elementary School in Modesto, and was Den Mother for her sons' Boy Scout troop. To her grandchildren, she was called Mimi, and for them she was always ready with a sweet snack and a hug. Although her grandchildren started the name, she was affectionately called Mimi by many, many others, both children and adults alike.

Lucy loved the Lord. She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church for many years, and enjoyed listening to gospel music. She also loved gardening and caring for her animals.

Lucy is survived by her loving husband Bob, her five children, Kenneth (Susan), Mark, Carol (Michael), Robin, and Tricia (Larry), her twelve grandchildren, Sarah, Jake, T.J., Kristy, Larry Jr., Alyssa, Cassie, Mikey, Lyndee, Stephanie, Renee, and Kyndal, and her twenty-one great-grandchildren. Visitation will take place on Friday, January 11th from 4:00 – 8:00 pm in the Heritage Chapel at Lakewood Funeral Home, 900 Santa Fe Avenue, Hughson. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 12th at 11:00 am at Calvary Baptist Church, 1732 Miller Avenue, in Modesto. In lieu of flowers and gifts, the family requests with gratitude that donations be made in Lucy's honor to the Community Hospice Foundation in Modesto (www.give.hospiceheart.org) or the American Lung Association (www.lung.org).