VALERIE HARDER

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VALERIE HARDER May 6, 1950 - May 7, 2011 It is with great sadness that we announce Val's passing at Health Sciences Centre after a courageous battle with cancer. She was predeceased by her father-in-law Henry Harder and sister-in-law Valerie Peters. Val will be sadly missed by her parents Lena and Henry Basiuk, her sister Loretta, Ken's mother Ann and husband Henry Neufeld, as well as the families of Rick Peters, Yvonne and Lloyd Elias, Cheryl and Alvin Wiens and Gordon and Anna Harder. Val married Ken Harder in 1971. The love of her life, she adored Ken and thought him the most wonderful man in the world, a loving, kind and generous person of integrity and honesty who cared for her unselfishly and faithfully throughout their marriage and her illness. Best friends, Val and Ken shared a special and wonderful relationship of mutual respect and love enriched by the many friendships developed over 39 years of marriage, work and travel. Val also valued Loretta as her loving, caring and devoted sister and friend. Val cherished dozens of loving, supportive and amazing friends who for decades brought her joy and happiness: Bette and Reid Birss, Pat and Michelle Rowan, Joan and Russ Kubara, Leah and Ted Kosokowsky, Barb and Kim Rach, Rita Serbin, Val Smyth, Sandy and Fred Allen, Jim and Sharon Clark, Harvey and Edie Warner, John and Connie Kroeker, Frank and Thelma Basiuk and family, and many others too numerous to mention. After graduating from Selkirk Collegiate, Val obtained Bachelor of Home Economics and Education degrees from University of Manitoba, then after one year at River Elm School, went on to teach at Elmwood High School for 36 years. She wished to extend a special thank you to the many colleagues she worked with at Elmwood High. A dedicated teacher, Val modeled dignity and respect for individuals. She set high standards for the work habits and behaviour of her students, encouraging them to give their best on a daily basis in her clothing and foods classes and providing them with a safe and stimulating learning environment. She enjoyed organizing and overseeing 25 years of fashion shows which offered an opportunity to bond with students and form lifelong friendships. Val will be remembered for her sense of fun, intelligence, quick wit, teasing but always respectful sense of humour, and compassionate and generous spirit. Her gift for making everyone feel very special will be missed. Her attention to detail and knack for making work seem fun - from intricately top-stitched tailored garments to animal print themed interior decorating, from beautifully wrapped gifts and musical greeting cards to dancing to Celebrate, from Halloween parties and Texas hold em to gourmet dinners which the hostess with the mostest considered her gift to friends - all have formed indelible memories for friends and family. Work hard and play hard was Val's philosophy and she lived it well. Special thanks to Dr. Andrew Maksymiuk, Dr. Ethan Lyn, Dr. Piotr Czaykowski, pharmacist John Leserge and the nurses and staff at CancerCare and Health Sciences Centre for their compassion, care and dedication. Val felt strongly that she did not want a funeral or celebration of life. Instead, as an acknowledgement of her life, a donation towards a cure for lung cancer would be appreciated. God, our God, your glorious name All your wondrous works proclaim In the heavens with radiant signs In the sea and air and field How great your name!

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 10, 2011