Deloris Harder

DeLoris Ann (Niessen) Harder was born on January 21, 1930, to John J. and Anna (Dick) Niessen at the Bethel Hospital in Mountain Lake, MN. She grew up on the family farm south of Mountain Lake and attended District #12 and #32 country schools, as well as the Mountain Lake Public Schools. DeLoris was baptized upon confession of faith on May 16, 1948 at the First Mennonite Church in Mountain Lake. On November 9, 1951, DeLoris married Raymond F. Harder at the First Mennonite Church. The couple made their home and farmed five miles northwest of Butterfield, MN. In September 2001, Ray and DeLoris retired from active farming but continued to enjoy their lifelong rural home. DeLoris was a loving wife, devoted mother, busy homemaker and supportive farm wife. She loved the out of doors and tended many vegetable and flower gardens, yard projects and helped her family with 4-H projects as well as running the combine during fall harvest. DeLoris was also a wonderful homemaker and cook and enjoyed testing and collecting recipes. Love of music was part of her life - especially old time Gospel. Family and faith were the most important part of DeLoris' life. She was a supporter and encourager of her children and later her grandchildren. As declining health made it difficult for her to be active in her family's lives, she continued to follow everyones interests and supported them with words and prayers. DeLoris died on December 8, 2006, at Pleasant View Good Samaritan Center in St. James, MN at the age of 76 years. DeLoris is survived by her husband, Raymond F. Harder of Butterfield; 3 children, Curtis (Gretchen) Harder of Mountain Lake, Renee (Tim) Herrig of Mountain Lake, and Robyn (Randy) Lundsten of N. Mankato, MN; 6 grandchildren, Emily, Heather, Karen Steven Herrig and Amber Taylor Lundsten; a brother, Allen (Marcia) Niessen of Mountain Lake; many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents.