Anne Harder

Thoughtful. Giving. Kind. Generous. Humble.

All of these words describe our beloved grandma, mom, sister, and friend. Anne was born on September 4th, 1939, in Winkler, Manitoba to Cornelius and Eva Harder. She was the second eldest of six children. She grew up in the Lowe Farm area and attended the Kane school as a child. She loved working with her dad on the farm and, with her mother in the kitchen. Her first job was egg grading in Lowe Farm, during which she would board with her grandma throughout the week.

In 1959, Anne was baptized upon the confession of her faith at her local church. In her early twenties, John Harder, currently from the Lowe Farm area, came a calling every Sunday. In 1963 they tied the knot. John and Anne started their married life in the Gladstone area, and they also lived at Katrime for a short time. They then settled northwest of MacGregor where they farmed. Anne was very hardworking and always helped John on the farm, whether it was milking cows, driving the tractor, or helping with the old cars and scrap. In addition to working on the farm, Anne also worked for the Portage sewing factory out of their home and helped with the potato harvest at Beaver Creek Farms.

Her love for growing flowers and vegetables was very evident in the size of her garden. She started her own plants and flowers in her greenhouse, and her flowers were always beautiful. She found much joy in working with her hands, and spent many hours sewing and crocheting. Anne was very involved in her local church, ladies’ aid, and attending the MCC auctions every fall in Brandon. She used her gifts to care for others, and was on the board at Sprucedale residence, caretaking at Hampton Courts, and much more, including knitting sewing, mending and donating clothes to Union Gospel Mission.

God blessed John and Anne with three children: Marty, Ruth, and Fred. Anne loved being a mom and a grandma. This was plain to see as she loved cooking for her family, and rarely forgot birthdays or anniversaries. She also enjoyed reading Bible stories to her grandchildren.

Anne was predeceased by her husband John, son Fred, and one brother Abe Harder, and her parents.

Life had many challenges and heartaches for Anne, but she always persevered and made the best of what life had to offer. She always wanted to do God’s will and believed that He would never forsake her.   A verse that is fitting for her life is 2 Timothy 4:7-8a: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day” (KJV).

John and Anne moved to MacGregor in January of 2017. When John passed away that March, Anne stayed at the duplex there until she made the move to Victoria place in 2022. Anne really enjoyed living at Victoria place. Some highlights for her were having coffee in the afternoons with the ladies, bingo night, movie nights, and puzzling. She loved books, and spent lots of her time reading. She resided there until this spring when her health was failing, and assistance was inevitable. Anne was admitted to the Portage hospital on May 30th, and a month later she was moved to the Gladstone hospital. On July 24th she moved to the care home in MacGregor where she felt at home. This summer, Anne was getting tired and weak, and on the morning of September 25th, with family by her side, God called Anne to her eternal home.

Anne leaves a legacy of loved one’s behind.  Surviving her passing is her son Marty Harder, daughter Ruth Boldt, and daughter in law Margaret (Rob) Smart.  She adored her grandchildren Jeremey (Joni), Jolene (Travis), Corin (Mike), Shane (Lauren), Lance, Alicia (Isaac), and Wyatt.  She had a special place in her heart for her great grandchildren Jon, Jessa, Jerek, Jett, Sydne, and Corbin.  She leaves in her passing her siblings John (Eva), Helen (predeceased – Gordy), Justina (Peter), and Hank (Barb).  She also leaves to mourn John’s family, many nieces, nephews and friends.

We would like to thank everyone for the love and support shown during this difficult time.  A special thank you to the Southern Health for the wonderful care given to Anne.  A warm thank you to Clarke's Funeral Home for all your care and compassion.