Harder, Maria Friesen (1897-1968)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1968 Feb 02 p. 17

Birth date: 1897 Jul 04

text of obituary:

MARIA HARDER

(Mrs.) Maria Harder, 70, of Winnipeg passed away on January 14 after a brief illness. The funeral was in the Elmwood Mennonite Brethren Church, January 17, with Rev. Heinrich Regehr and Rev. William Schmidt officiating.

Maria Harder, nee Friesen, was born July 4, 1897, in Neuendorf, South Russia. On July 21, 1922, she was united in marriage to Jacob Harder of Neuenburg. Eight children were born to them, four sons and four daughters. Shortly after their marriage she realized her lost condition and accepted Christ as personal Saviour. In 1925 she was baptized upon her confession of faith and accepted into the Rosenthal Mennonite Brethren Church.

Her husband was sent into banishment in 1937 and was never again heard from. During the II World War the family was able to flee to Germany and from thence, in 1948, to Canada. The eldest son was conscripted by the German Army and after the collapse of Germany was returned to Russia where he lives today. The mother and seven children came to Canada.

For a year the family lived at Main Centre, Sask., and then they moved to Winnipeg. In Winnipeg Mrs. Harder joined the South End Church and in 1964 she transferred by letter to the Elmwood Church.

She is survived by four sons, Jacob in Russia, Peter, Alfred and Arthur in Winnipeg; four daughters, Mrs. Frank (Susie) Kliewer, Mrs. Peter (Mary) Bergen, Mrs. Jake (Martha) Tielmann, Mrs. Henry (Helen) Hajer, all of Winnipeg; 18 grandchildren and one sister. Three sisters and three brothers predeceased her.