Harder, Anna Claassen (1862-1949)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1949 Sep 22 p. 5

Birth date: 1862 Jun 24

text of obituary:

. . .

— Death claimed another of the pioneer settlers in Harvey county with the passing of Mrs. Anna Harder, 87, who died of a heart attack while visiting her daughter, Mrs. Ernest Wiebe, near Independence. She had lived on a farm east of Newton in Butler county for over 60 years, having come to this country from Germany with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Abr. Claassen. Her husband, Jacob Harder, died in 1937. A daughter, Mrs. Minna Wiens of Newton, is among the survivors, as well as five other daughters, 25 grandchildren, 16 great great grandchildren, and two sisters. Funeral services were Wednesday afternoon at the Emmaus church, Whitewater.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1949 Sep 29 p. 3

text of obituary:

MRS. JACOB HARDER

Our mother and grandmother, Anna Harder, daughter of Abraham and Anna Claassen, was born on June 24, 1862, at Zimonsdorf, West Prussia. She attended the elementary schools in Germany.

In 1876, when she was 14 years of age, her parents decided to come to America. They made their temporary home in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, for one year, during which time her father searched for a place to settle permanently. Deciding to make their home in Kansas, they settled nine miles northeast of Whitewater on the Henry Creek, in a log cabin. After a few years Grandfather built a new home for his family two miles from their old home.

Upon her confession of faith she was baptized by the late Rev. Leonhard Suderman and became a member of the Emmaus Mennonite church, of which she remained a faithful member until the time of her death.

Jacob and Anna Harder were married on February 22, 1881, in the first Emmaus church building, starting their new home in the log cabin. They erected a new home several years later which mother enjoyed for nearly 65 years.

In the course of years thirteen children came into this home, of whom five sons and two daughters preceded their mother in death.

By the grace of God our parents could celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary in 1906 and their 50th wedding anniversary in 1931. Since father's death in 1937, mother and Emma made their home together. Grandma loved to have her family gathered around her and we will miss her very much, but are looking forward to our reunion in heaven above. She passed away on Sunday, September 18, 1949, while on a visit with a daughter and family at Independence, Kansas, and attained the ripe age of 87 years. She leaves to cherish her memory, six daughters, two sisters, one sister-in-law, 23 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, and other relatives and friends.

Mother was very cheerful and active for her years and always busy for her loved ones. Now she is resting from her labors.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, Sept, 21, at the Smith Funeral Chapel and at the Emmaus Mennonite church, Whitewater, Kansas, The pastor, Rev. Walter H. Dyck, officiated. A quartet composed of Mrs. G. H. Regier, Jr., Mrs. Arnold Claassen, Herbert Thiessen, and Richard Wiebe, sang appropriate selections.

The Mennonite obituary: 1949 Oct 4 p. 15