Harder, John J. (1892-1956)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1957 Jan 3 p. 5

Birth date: 1892 Jul 5

text of obituary:

Retired School Principal Died

Reedley, Calif. — Funeral services for John J. Harder, retired school principal, were held at the Reedley Mennonite Brethren church Monday, Dec. 24. Rev. Dan Friesen and Rev. H. R. Wiens officiated.

Mr. Harder was principal of the Windsor School for 19 years, retiring four years ago. He was 64 years old. A native of Kansas, he had lived in Reedley for 31 years. Death was due to a heart attack.

He is survived by his widow, four married daughters and one son, two sisters and three brothers.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1957 Jan 3 p. 8

text of obituary:

JOHN J. HARDER

John J. Harder, the son of Isbrand and Anna (Friesen) Harder, was born on July 5, 1892, near Hillsboro, Kansas and departed this life at Reedley, Calif. on Dec. 19, 1956, to be forever with his Savior and Lord. He attained the age of 64 years, five months, and 14 days.

He grew up in the community of his birth, going to district school and working on the parental farm. As a youth he was converted, accepting Christ as his Savior and in obedience to Christ he was baptized and accepted in the fellowship of the Mennonite Brethren Church.

As a young man he attended Tabor College and also taught school for one year near home. Later he moved to Dubois, Idaho where he homesteaded and farmed for several years.

On Oct. 14, 1915, he was married to Sarah Bose [sic Boese] also of Dubois, Idaho. This union was blessed with five children, one son and four daughters.

In 1919 they moved to Waldheim, Sask. where he taught school for four years. In 1923 they moved to Chico State College where he also received his college degree. He also taught school for one year in that community.

They moved to Reedley, Calif. in 1925 and he took a teaching position in the Windsor School three miles south of town. He taught in this school for 19 years. He also taught a number of years on the west side of Fresno County. He and his wife also taught in a Bible School in Carles, Sask. a few years ago. Altogether he has devoted 34 years of his life to the teaching profession.

On July 22, 1953, he experienced the sadness of losing his wife through sudden death.

On Jan. 1, 1953, he joined hands in holy wedlock with Miss Mary Irene Schroeder of Herbert, Sask.

He enjoyed his work of teaching greatly. He was also happy to serve his Lord in church work in various ways. He had been active as Sunday school teacher, choir leader, vacation Bible school teacher and in a number of other duties. Of late he experienced a great joy and many blessings in teaching a bible class in the M.B. Mission in West Parlier.

As a rule he enjoyed fairly good health until two years ago, but since that time he has had various difficulties. Of late he felt quite well until Sunday night when he suffered a heart attack. He was taken to the hospital where all possible efforts were made to help him, but to no avail. Wednesday at noon he left this world and was ushered into the presence of Christ.

He leaves to mourn his departure his wife, Mrs. Mary Irene Harder; one son, Johnnie I. Harder, Carmicheal [sic Carmichael], Calif.; four daughters, Clara, Mrs. Frank Tesman of Dinuba, Calif., Evangeline, Mrs. Henry P. Kroeker of Fresno, Calif., Ann, Mrs. Clay W. Milton of Reedley, Calif., and Dorothy, Mrs. Floyd Shipman of Visalia, Calif.; four sons-in-law, one daughter-in-law; seven grandchildren; three brothers, Peter Harder of Waldheim, Sask., David Harder of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Bernard Harder of Osler, Sask.; two sisters, Tena, Mrs. Elmer Schach [sic Schrock] of Gridley, Ill., and Elizabeth, Mrs. Sam J. R. Hofer of Carpenter, S. D. and many other friends and relatives. — the Family.