Harder, Heinrich P. (1890-1971)

Latest revision as of 23:23, 6 April 2023

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1971 Dec 2 p. 16

Birth date: 1890 Jun 17

text of obituary:

Winkler, Man. — Funeral services for Rev. Heinrich P. Harder, retired Mennonite Brethren minister, were held Nov. 8 at the Elmwood M. B. Church in Winnipeg. He died Nov. 6 at a Winnipeg Hospital at the age of 81.

Rev. Harder was born in Russia and spent the early part of his life there, coming to Manitoba in 1925. He farmed at Gnadenthal and was elected leader of the M. B. church there, serving from 1939 to 1954. After moving to Winkler, he was assistant leader of the M. B. Church from 1956 to 1962. He served on the board of the Winkler Bible School for seven years.

Rev. Harder had lived in Winnipeg since 1962. The body was returned here, and burial was made in the Winkler Cemetery.

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1971 Dec 03 p. 30

text of obituary:

Rev. Heinrich P. Harder of Winnipeg, 81, was called to glory on November 6. He was born June 17, 1890, the seventh child of Peter and Gertrude Harder, Fischau, southern Russia. His mother passed away when he was only two and a half years old and his sister, the late Mrs. Abram Boschmann, looked after the family until their father remarried eight years later.

Between 1912 and 1918 he performed alternative service for the Russian government, first in the forestry service and then for four years in the medical corps. He married Helena Derksen in Fischau on April 17, 1918. It was during those trying years that both he and his wife found their Saviour. They were baptized on May 22, 1923 and became members of the Mennonite Brethren Church.

Mr. Harder became active in the tent evangelistic movement in southern Russia and was ordained to the ministry on June 8, 1924 in Tiegenhagen. He had the privilege of serving the Lord in the ministry for many years, in Fischau in Russia, and later in Canada in Hochfeld, Gnadenthal, Winkler and Elmwood (Winnipeg).

When the Harders first came to Canada in 1925 they settled near Neuenberg, near Winkler, Manitoba, where the Lord gave them many opportunities to serve. Rev. Harder was active in home and hospital visitation and in duties connected with the Winkler Bible Institute.

He was predeceased by an infant son, Henry, in 1921, by his wife, in 1958, and by a second son, Benjamin, in 1968. Left to mourn are Helen, Tina and her husband, Peter Doerksen, of Brandon Gertrud, Margaret, Susie and her husband, Henry Loewen, of Winnipeg, a daughter-in-law, Helga, Mrs. Nick Tiessen, of Leamington, 14 grandchildren and one, great-granddaughter.

The funeral was conducted from the Elmwood (Winnipeg) Mennonite Brethren Church on November 6 with Rev, William Schmidt and Rev. Jerry Hildebrand officiating.