Raymond Frank Harder

Due to restrictions on public gatherings, a private family Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, June 27, 2020 at the Lakeview Gospel Church in Mountain Lake, MN. Your thoughts and prayers are much appreciated. Raymond "Ray" F. Harder was born on February 26, 1928 to John M & Sarah (Enns) Harder on their farm north of Butterfield, MN. He attended the Mt. Lake Christian Day School, the N. Butterfield District #30 Country School and Mt. Lake H.S. He was a lifelong member of the First Mennonite Church, Mt. Lake where he was baptized in the Christian faith on May 20, 1945. On November 9, 1951, Raymond married DeLoris Ann Niessen at the First Mennonite Church, Mt. Lake. They were blessed with 3 children and made their home northwest of Butterfield which included crop farming, a beautiful Golden Guernsey dairy operation, and a large, well-tended fruit orchard. Without fail, Ray would bring the first apple blossoms of spring to DeLoris, his cherished wife and true farming partner. As an active church member, Ray served as usher, treasurer, trustee and council member. As a young man he was part of the construction of their new church facility and Community Eventide Home. Ray was a lifelong member of the Butterfield Thresherman's Association where he could be found at the Threshing Bee each August working at the anvil in the blacksmith shop making souvenir horseshoes. He was a lifelong learner with many interests and supported his community by serving on the Butterfield School Board, Darfur Tri-County Co-op Board, and as a charter member and adult leader of the Speedway Builders 4-H club. He was a patient teacher and inspired confidence in his children, and a man who somehow always managed to find the time amid the long hours of farm work to patiently answer questions and show interest in what they were doing. He was a man of quiet but strong faith, with a positive attitude, quick smile and a keen sense of humor who loved his family. Sharing humor and laughter with his family and friends and spending time with his grandchildren gave him much joy. He will be missed. Ray is survived by Curt (Gretchen) Harder of Mt. Lake, MN, Renee (Tim) Herrig of Mt. Lake, and Robyn (Randy) Lundsten of N. Mankato, MN, 6 grandchildren, Emily (Mitch) Mulder, Heather (Stephen) Funk, Karen (Dexter) Wermers, Steven (Chelsea) Herrig, Amber Lundsten, and Taylor Lundsten, 7 great-grandchildren, and a brother John (Virgene) Harder, Sister-in-law Marcia Niessen, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, DeLoris (2006), sister and brother Margaret Adrian and Milton Harder and their spouses, and brother-in-law Allan Niessen. Visitation 1 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Saturday, June 27, 2020 Lakeview Gospel Church-Mt Lake 1002 North 10th St. Mountain Lake, Minnesota, United States 56159 Private Celebration of Life 2:00 pm Saturday, June 27, 2020 Lakeview Gospel Church-Mt Lake 1002 North 10th 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