Harry Harder

Harry Gerhard Harder, 72 of Steinbach, MB passed away peacefully at St. Boniface Hospital with his children by his side and his wife and daughter-in-law on a video link on November 23, 2020.

Leaving to mourn Harry’s passing is his wife of 53 years, Mary Ann (Wall), son Curtis (Monica), daughter Shari (Chris) Teetaert and son Kelly (Stacy).  Grandpa Harder will be missed by his 11 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren and 3 step-great grandchildren, Staci Harder (Bob Adolphe) & Kennedi, Nicole, Kayla and Erin,  Zachary Teetaert (Holly) & Milo, Bronson Teetaert, Keegan Teetaert (Lori), Spencer Teetaert, Arabella Teetaert, Xavier Teetaert, Lexi Harder (Curtis Oude Voshaar), Taran Harder, Kyler Harder and Cazden Harder.

Dad was born on August 11, 1948 to Henry and Helen Harder in Steinbach.  He was the oldest of 7 children.   Dad was baptized upon the confession of his faith on May 21, 1967 at the Steinbach CMC.

Dad had many jobs in his life, from working at the car dealership, chicken barns, Barkman Concrete, building construction, and most recently at Loewen Windows.  Dad enjoyed building things and would often build projects that mom had seen at craft sales.  He would also lend a hand out to whoever needed help.   Dad also started to make wine as a hobby in the last few years and offered a glass to many family and friends.

Dad was a man of very few words, and yet made so many friends by talking to everyone. That was very evident in every campground they had ever had a trailer at.   He really enjoyed going for coffee with the “Lutheran Executive Coffee Club”, meeting at Main Bread & Butter on a regular basis. We are not really sure if he ever actually contributed to the conversations, as he was just as content listening to everyone else, just as he did every time we had a gathering.

Dad and mom met in the summer of ‘66 when they went on a blind date. They started going steady on November 23, 1966, were engaged in March of ’67 and married on September 23, 1967.

Dad and mom lived in Steinbach for 7 months before moving to Portage La Prairie, where they resided from 1968 to 1970.  While in Portage, Dad completed grades 7, 8, 9 and 10 in 32 weeks.  Portage was also where they had their first child, Curtis, born in ‘68.  In 1970, they moved back to Steinbach.  They bought their first house on 1st Ave (Stonebridge Crossing) on December 24, 1971.  Just before their daughter, Shari was born in 1974 they moved to Rosewood St, followed by another move in ’76 to Kleefeld.  Their 3rd child, Kelly was born in 1977.  Dad and mom moved back to Steinbach in 1978.

Growing up, we knew dad and mom to be very active in church, as ushers, deacon, church council secretary, scout and pioneer girls leaders. Their church family was very important to them, and became their social group, whether it was their small group bible study, breakfasts after church, or whist drives.  One thing we knew was that their door was always opened to anyone that wanted to stop by for a meal, coffee or a game of cards.

Mom and Dad enjoyed many activities throughout their years together, bowling league, square dancing, traveling and camping. But by far, their favorite activity would be watching their grandkids in their many activities, whether it was soccer, baseball, volleyball, swimming, music and dance recitals, choir and Christmas concerts, they went all over the country to support them.

Along with their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, they leave behind dad’s  brothers Jake (Jan), Ed (Vi), Elmer (Jackie) and his sisters Sharan (Maurice Desmarais), and Karen (Dennis Janz), his sister-in-law Lottie Harder and mom’s sister and sister-in-law Marge Friesen, Anne Wall,  a brother-in-law, Clarence Friesen, and many nieces, nephews and friends.

They are predeceased by their parents, Henry & Helen Harder and Peter and Katherina Wall, dad’s brother Peter Harder and mom’s siblings Helen Buhler, Art Wall and Elizabeth Friesen.

Our family would like to thank all the doctors and nurses at Bethesda Hospital in Steinbach as well as the ICU doctors and nurses at St. Boniface Hospital.  Your kindness and compassion towards caring for our parents is so appreciated.

A private funeral service for Harry & Mary Ann Harder will be held at Crossings Funeral Care on Friday, December 11, 2020 at 2PM. The joint service will be live steamed for the public, with virtual viewing starting at 1:45 PM.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church Memorial Fund or ROC Eastman.