Harder, Johannes (1903-1987)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 23 Apr 1987 p. 6

Birth date: 1903

text of obituary:

W. German Author, Professor Dies

Schluechtern, West Germany — Johannes Harder, 84, well known author, theologian, social scientist and elder of the Mennonite Church at Frankfurt, died on March 7.

His death was unexpected, as it occurred while undergoing minor surgery. The survivors include his wife, Gudrun, a large family and friends.

Although Harder left his native Volga area in Russia during World War I, his many novels, stories, poems and other writings continued to focus on the Russian prairie (steppe) and its people-Russians and Germans.

In January Harder gave lectures on Mennonite history at the University of Frankfurt and on theology in Basel, Switzerland. Several years ago he spoke at Mennonite churches in Winnipeg.

According to the Winnipeg-based Mennonite Mirror, Harder belonged to those Christians who seek to live their "following after Jesus" in a radical manner-combining confession with practice.