Michael Lloyd Harden, 79, of Salina, passed away Monday, July 27, 2026. He was born to Edna and Myles Harden in St. Joseph Hospital in Denver, Colorado on Monday, December 23, 1946. It was a very cold day with a lot of snow on the ground.
His grandpa and grandma Harden wanted to buy Michael a musical instrument of his choice. Grandma Harden took Michael to Charles Wells Music Store in Denver when he was ten years young. He selected an alto saxophone student conn model after taking some time to make the decision. As a Golden Colorado student, he played in a high school band and stage band. He diligently prepared for solo competitions and received many #1 scores.
Michael was awarded a music scholarship to attend Adam State College in Alamosa, Colorado. He played in the colleges marching band and concert bands. He was invited to join Kappa Kappa Psi, which is a Music Honorary Fraternity. In June 1969 he received a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education and a Minor in English.
His first teaching position was in McClave, Colorado, teaching K-12 instrumental and vocal music. The following summer in 1970 he began his Masters in Instrumental Music Education program. This program was interrupted by a United States Army Draft Notice. After basic training at Fort Lewis in Washington state where he was in Echo Company Second Battalion First Brigade, he was sent to the United States Navy School of Music in Norfolk, Virginia for three months. Finally, he was sent to Fort Hood in Texas to serve in a United States Army Band. He was in the First Armored Band which later became the First Calvary Band. He was in George Custers Headquarters Company. His rank included Private E1, E2, E3, and E4 which is a specialist rank. His Military Operation Specialty was O2L (Saxophone Player) and O2B (Clarinet Player). He also participated in a select Stage Band playing a variety of Reed Instruments including the Baritone Saxophone.
In 1972, he received an early out from his army service. He tried to return to his earlier teaching position where he had a signed contract prior to being drafted. He was denied his prior teaching position. Michael returned to Golden, Colorado to live with his parents while searching for a new music teaching position.
After many applications and interviews, he accepted a K-12 music education position in Gover, Colorado which is in Weld County. He taught at this location during 1972-1974. In the summer of 1973, Michael started his master’s degree in Instrumental Music at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley. He practiced and performed extensively using a variety of musical instruments. Michael was awarded his Master of Music Education Degree in August 1976.
Michael met Margaret Noller who was teaching Home Economics and Special Education in the Grover School District. They were married on April 13, 1974, in the United Methodist church in Hebron, Nebraska.
Michael was always interested in airplanes. He decided to pursue earning Flight Licenses and Ratings. First, he received his Private Pilot License, then his Commercial License, and then his Instrument Rating.
After completing many years of teaching, Michael and Margaret retired and chose to live in Salina, Kansas in May 2007. They both enjoy their new home, their new friends and their new experiences.
A Celebration of Life will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 901 E Neal Ave, Salina.