06/18/2026
Loreta Elizabeth Kirksey (Harbuck), age 88, of Wagoner, Oklahoma, passed away on Friday, June 12, 2026, in Muskogee, Oklahoma.
Loreta was born on January 30, 1938, in Antlers, Oklahoma, to Albert Lee Harbuck and Stella Ora Harbuck (Ralls). In 1956, she left school to marry John Mark Bowser. Together they had four children: Mark, Loreta Jane, Paul, and John Allen.
At the age of 27, Loreta returned to school, earned her GED, and completed coursework in clerical studies. She began her career at the OSU Extension Center in Oklahoma City and later worked for Skaggs/Albertsons, where she managed the cosmetics department.
On April 25, 1982, Loreta married Cecil Kirksey and gained four additional children through marriage: Cecil Lynn, Jan, Rick, and Kim.
Loreta was a devoted member of Freedom Point Church. She was an avid gardener with a well-known green thumb and took great pride in her beautiful gardens. She also had a passion for collecting dolls and built an extensive collection, which she loved sharing with her grandchildren.
A talented seamstress, Loreta created countless beautiful quilts for family and friends. Perhaps she was best known for her love of deer hunting. Each hunting season, she joined her family at their cabin and often matched—or outperformed—the men in the family. She deeply loved the lake and the outdoors. Loreta and Cecil always kept boats so their children could ski, swim, and fish, creating many cherished family memories during summers spent together on the water.
More than anything, Loreta was the heart of two large families, bringing them together and helping keep them close through the years. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
Loreta was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Stella Harbuck; her siblings, Minnie Harris, Olaf Henry Harbuck, Atward Jefferson Harbuck, Alfred Lee Harbuck, Kelcie Kermit Harbuck, Theodore “Dody” Harbuck, Floyd Harbuck, Farles Melton Harbuck, and John Wesley Harbuck; her husband, Cecil Kirksey; her children, Loreta Jane Bowser, Paul Bowser, and John Allen Bowser; and, Cecil Lynn Kirksey.
She is survived by her children, Mark Bowser and wife Mitzi, Jan Bell and husband Jim, Ricky Kirksey, and Kim Kirksey Bwoga and husband John, Shelly and husband Josh, Lisa, David and wife Ellen; grandchildren Steven, Donavahn, Rickey, Oliver, Kristen, Cynthia, Desiree, Cheyenne, and Kim; great-grandchildren Kaitlyn, Emma, Mya, Bridgett, Maeve, Gigi, and Shai; as well as many friends and extended family members.
A viewing will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, June 19, 2026, at Shipman Funeral Home in Wagoner, Oklahoma.
Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at the Shipman Funeral Home Chapel in Wagoner, Oklahoma, with Reverend Scott Gordon, officiating. Pallbearers will be David Ott, Richard Moravek, Josh Drake, Donovan Bwoga, Rickey Bwoga, and Callen Cole Addison (Cal).
Loreta will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband, Cecil, at Elmwood Cemetery in Wagoner, Oklahoma.
