Leo John Harder

Leo J. Harder, age 94, passed away in his sleep on December 9, 2017, at the Good Samaritan Village in Mountain Lake, MN. Leo was born on September 21, 1923, to Jacob J. and Anna (Janzen) Harder on a farm southwest of Mountain Lake. He attended a country school for eight years and graduated from Mountain Lake High School in 1942. He was drafted in 1944, during World War II. Because of his faith he was a conscientious objector and entered Civilian Public Service (CPS) where he worked in soil conservation in Denison, IA, fighting forest fires in California, and public health work in Gulfport, MS. After his release in 1946 he returned to Mountain Lake where he farmed for several years with his brother Jake. While in Gulfport, Leo met Ruth Burkhard who was working there with Mennonite Central Committee. Leo and Ruth, daughter of Henry and Lydia (Lefever) Burkhard, were married on September 13, 1947, in Orrtanna, PA. Together they farmed northeast of Mountain Lake until Ruth was diagnosed with cancer in 1953. They then moved to town where Leo collected milk for the creamery. Ruth passed away in 1958. Three children-Gordon, Charles, and Lois-were born to this marriage. Leo married Gladys E. Harder, daughter of Henry G. and Helen (Falk) Harder, on September 26, 1959 in Mountain Lake. Two daughters-Kathleen and Mary-were born to this marriage. Leo worked at and managed a number of agribusinesses during his career. During his retirement he and Gladys worked several years through Mennonite Voluntary Service in Fort Collins, CO, and at the International Guest House in Washington, D.C. He also managed the Care and Share Thrift Shop/Ten Thousand Villages in Mountain Lake for more than eight years. Leo was baptized by I.J. Dick in 1941. He was an active member of First Mennonite Church all of his adult life and served on various committees. He was a committed Christian and lived out his faith in a quiet manner. Leo's survivors include his wife, Gladys, and children: Gordon (Eva Toews), Charles, Lois, Kathleen (Merin Kouay), and Mary (Wes Mark). He is also survived by six grandchildren: Willmar (Hannah Neufeld), Elisabeth (Ramont Schrock), David (Rachel Byler), Jordan (Lindsey Edwards), Annie (Derek Reese), and Sophia, as well as ten great-grandchildren: Elias, Amos, Reuben, Maria, Jonathan, Anna, Andrew, Annalise, Camden, and Devin. He is survived by two brothers-Lawrence (Kathy Suderman) and Walter-and numerous nieces and nephews. Leo was preceded in death by his first wife, Ruth, his parents, and five siblings and their spouses: Theresa, Harry (Anna Harder), Jacob (Estella Loewen), Anna (Marvin Nickel), Albert (Bessie Zimmerly), and sister-in-law, Joyce Berg Harder. Visitation 1 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm Tuesday, December 12, 2017 Sturm Funeral Home, Mountain Lake Chapel 420 - 10th St. N. Mtn. Lake, Minnesota, United States 56159 Visitation 2 9:30 am - 10:30 am Wednesday, December 13, 2017 Bethel Mennonite Church, Mountain Lake, Minnesota 301 N 9th St Mountain Lake, Minnesota, United States 56159 Service Information 10:30 am Wednesday, December 13, 2017 Bethel Mennonite Church, Mountain Lake, Minnesota 301 N 9th St Mountain Lake, Minnesota, United States 56159 Interment Information Mountain Lake City Cemetery 10th St. N at Midway Rd Mountain Lake, Minnesota, United States 56159 Luncheon Luncheon to immediately follow services at the church.