Harder, Sarah Boese (1897-1952)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1952 Aug 7 p. 9

Birth date: 1897 Jun 17

text of obituary:

MRS. JOHN J. HARDER

Mrs. Sarah Harder, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Bese [sic Boese], was born at Parker, South Dakota, on June 17, 1897, and was privileged to enter into the presence of her Redeemer on Tuesday morning, July 22, 1952. Her earthly sojourn lasted 55 years, one month, and five days.

When she was but a young child, her parents moved to Enid, Oklahoma, then to Escondida [sic Escondido], California, and then back to Oklahoma again where she also spent most of the days of her youth. Here she experienced the early pioneer days of Oklahoma. When she was but 14 years old, she lost her mother by death and was obliged to assume full responsibility for the family household.

At the age of 12, she realized that she needed a Savior, and by faith accepted Christ. She followed Christ into the baptismal waters the same year with the Elder Abr. Schellenberg officiating, and was received into the fellowship of the Mennonite Brethren church and has sought to serve her Lord faithfully.

On October 15, 1915, she joined hands with John J. Harder in holy wedlock. By God’s grace we have been privileged to travel life’s highway together for more than 36 years — years of blessing and joys as a whole in which we were also not spared times of trials, disappointments and heartache, but in all these we could always triumph as we knelt in prayer and studied His Word. The union was blessed with five children, one son and four daughters. For years her husband followed the profession of school teacher, and we have lived in Idaho, Saskatchewan, Canada, and in California at various places, mostly in the Reedley area.

She was a devoted wife and a loving mother, sparing no efforts to serve us. Her greatest concern was the salvation of every member of the family and she spent much time in prayer for us, especially the last years, and received the assurance that her whole family shall be saved.

Her health was fairly good all her life until lately when she suffered with a nervous heart. Medical help was sought and we thought she was doing fairly well. Death came suddenly and unexpectedly as a result of a heart attack. She collapsed and was gone within a few minutes.

It is a great comfort to us to know that she was ready to meet her Christ and by God's grace we hope to meet her again in Glory.

She leaves to mourn, her husband, John J. Harder of Reedley Calif.; one son, Johnny I. Harder Sacramento, Calif.; four daughters, Clara, Mrs. Frank Tesman, Dinuba, Calif.; Evangeline, Mrs. Henry P. Kroeker, Fresno, Calif.; Ann, Mrs. Clay Milton, Reedley, Calif., Dorothy, Mrs. Lloyd Shipman, Porterville, Calif.; four sons-in-law and one daughter-in-law; six grandchildren (one, Johnny Kroeker, preceded her in death); two brothers, John Bese [sic Boese], Rosedale Calif., Ben Bese [sic Boese], Enid, Okla.; two sisters: Mrs. Anna Ollenburger, Bell, Calif.; Agnes, Mrs. William Dehn, Turlock, Calif.; and many other relatives and friends. — The Family