Harder, John (1881-1944)

Christlicher Bundesbote obituary: 1944 Oct 31 p. 14

Birth date: 1881 Jan 26

text of obituary:

Vater John Harder Jr., Sohn von John Harder Sr. und Frau Marie Harder geb. Regier, ward geboren nah Whitewater, Kans. am 26. Januar 1881. In diesem christlichen Heim ist erzogen worden, seinen Heiland schon in früher Jugend zu lieben. Im zarten Alter von 7 Jahren erfuhr er schon den Ernst des Lebens, als seine Mutter durch der Tod abgerufen wurde; aber er lernte auch wieder Gottes liebende Fürsorge kennen, als er eine zweite bekam. In seinem 17. Lebensjahr, wurde er auf das Bekenntnis seines Glaubes an seinen Heiland Jesus Christus von Aelt. Bernhard Sudermann am 30. Mai 1898 getauft und in die Emmaus Gem. aufgenommen, welcher Glied er sich treu bewährte bis an sein Ende. Er besuchte die Distr.- und Privatschule und später ein Jahr Bethel College und nach diesem blieb er als treuer Sohn beim Vater auf der Farm, bis er im Jahr 1903 sich mit Maria Claassen verehelichte und sein Heim gründete auf einer Farm nahe bei Whitewater, Kans. Aus dieser Ehe waren ihnen 2 Söhne geboren John W. und Bernhard. John W. wurde in 1940 durch den Tod abgerufen, welches den Vater sehr tief berührte. Neben seinem Beruf als tätiger Farmer hat er auch viel Zeit der S. Schule und Gem. gewidmet und in 1923 nach dem Abscheiden von Aelt. Gustav Harder, wurde er an dessen Stelle als Glied der Behörde der Bethel Hospital Gesellschaft gewählt, wobei er treu mit Freuden gedient hat bis an sein Ende. Neben seiner Farmbeschäftigung und verschiedenen Aemtern fand er auch Zeit und viel Vergnügen eine helfende Hand zuleihen wo es notwendig war. Kinder und junge Leute, die mit ihm in Berührung komen, haben bald sein freundliches Benehmen erkannt und geschätzt. Am 27. Sept. 1944 als er sich wie gewöhnlich vorbereitete dem Gabentag der Bethel Anstalt beizuwohnen, bekam er einen Schlaganfall und war und blieb bewußtlos bis an sein Ende. Er wurde sogleich ins Bethel Hospital gebracht, aber trotz der Bemühung verschiedener Aerzte und der liebenden Pflege der Schwestern ist er am 5. Okt. 1944 aus diesem Leben geschieden um bei seinem Heiland zu sein nach einem Leiden von 8 Tagen und hat sein Leben gebracht auf 63 Jahre 8 Monate und 9 Tage. Er hinterläßt seine trauernde Gattin, Sohn Bernhard, eine Pflegetochter, Frau Walter Claassen, 2 Schwiegertöchter, 10 Großkinder, seinen hochbetagten Vater, 4 Brüder, eine Schwester und viele andere Freunde.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1944 Oct 12 p. 5

text of obituary:

Newton And Vicinity

. . .

— An unusually large funeral took place at the Emmaus Mennonite church near Whitewater last Sunday afternoon, when John Harder, widely known farmer of the Whitewater community, was laid to his final resting place. Mr. harder died at the Bethel Deaconess Hospital Thursday morning, Oct. 5, one week after having suffered a severe stroke of paralysis. The services there were in charge of Rev. John C. Kaufman, the local pastor, and Rev. H. J. Dyck of Elbing. Members of the immediate family surviving are: His deeply bereaved wife, a son Leonard and adopted daughter, Mrs. Walter Claassen, all of Whitewater; and the following brother sand sisters: Rev. B. W. Harder, G. A. Harder, Mrs. Gus Reimer, also of Whitewater; E. M. Harder of southeast of newton, and Willie Harder of Sterling, Idaho. Mr. Harder was 64 years of age.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1944 Oct 19 p. 3

text of obituary:

JOHN HARDER, JR.

John Harder, Jr., son of John Harder Sr. and Maria Regier Harder, was born on a farm near Whitewater, Kans., Jan. 26, 1881. In this Christian home he was taught to love his Saviour early in life.

At the tender age of seven years, he experienced the seriousness of life when he lost his mother in death; but he also learned God's loving care when he was given a second mother. Upon his confession of faith n his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, he was baptized by the Rev. Leonard Suderman and received as a member of the Emmaus Mennonite church on May 30, 898, and remained a faithful member until death. He attended grade school and private school, and later also for one year, Bethel College. After this he remained as a fathful [sic] son with his father on the farm.

In 1903 he was united in marriage to Maria Classen and they established their home on a farm near Whitewater Kans. To this union two sons were born, John M. and Leonard. The oldest son departed this life in 1942, a loss which the father felt very keenly.

Besides his vocation as a farmer, the departed spent much of his time in Sunday School work and various other church activities.

After the death of Elder Gustav harder (his uncle) in 1923, he was elected to fill the vacated place as a director of the Bethel Deaconess Hospital Society. In this affair he served with much joy and faithfulness until his death.

In spite of his farm work and various offices he always found time and much pleasure n lending a helpful hand to those in need. Children and young people who came in contact with him soon realized that he cherished their love and confidence very highly.

On Sept. 27, 1944, while preparing to attend as usual the Gift Day of the Bethel Institutions, he was affected by a severe stroke so that he became unconscious and remained in this condition until his death.

He was immediately taken to the Bethel Hospital by his family, and in spite of all the efforts of the doctors and the loving care of the Sisters and nurses, he departed this life to be with his Saviour on Oct. 5, 1944, after eight days of suffering. He reached the age of 62 years, 8 months and 21 days.

He leaves to mourn his departure his bereaved wife, son Leonard, one foster-daughter, Mrs. Walter W. Classen, two daughters-in-law, one son-in-law, ten grand children, his aged father, four brothers, one sister, many other relatives and a host of friends.

Funeral services were conducted Sunday afternoon, Oct. 8, from the Emmaus Mennonite church with the pastor, Rev. J. C. Kaufman, officiating, assisted by Rev. H. J. Dyck from the Zion church at Elbing, Kans.