Harder, Henry N. (1905-1963)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1963 Oct 17 p. 3

Birth date: 1905 Apr 5

text of obituary:

Normal, Ill. Pastor Dies Unexpectedly

Relatives in Newton received word that Rev. Henry N. Harder, 58, pastor of the First Mennonite Church in Normal, Ill. for the past 10 years, died at the Mennonite Hospital in Bloomington early Sunday after suffering a stroke of paralysis on Friday morning. He had entered the hospital Thursday.

A memorial service was held Tuesday afternoon at the Normal church conducted by Rev. Erland Waltner, president of Mennonite Biblical Seminary. The body was brought to Newton, and final services will take place at 2 p.m. Thursday in the Bethel College Mennonite Church with Rev. Russell Mast and Rev. P. K. Regier officiating.

Born in South Russia on April 5, 1905, Rev. Harder came to America in 1924. He was educated in both Russia and the United States, receiving the A. B. degree from Bethel College and the A. M. degree from the Phillips University College of Bible, Enid, Okla.

After teaching at Gretna, Man. and Rosthern, Sask., he held pastorates at Enid, Okla., Geary, Okla., and Aberdeen, Idaho before taking up the pastorate of the Normal church. He was ordained to the ministry in 1936 and to the office of elder in 1939.

Surviving are his widow, the former Hilda Klassen, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. P. H. Klassen of Newton; two sons, Paul of Newton and Verlin of Wichita, and their wives; two grandchildren; his father, Abraham Harder of Vineland, Ont.; one sister and five brothers, all of Canada.

The Mennonite obituary: 1963 Oct 22 p. 639