DONALD HARDER

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DONALD (DANIEL) HARDER Peacefully at home, surrounded by his family, after a brave battle with cancer, Donald Harder passed away on Tuesday, November 3, 2015, six days short of his 79th birthday. Beloved husband of Audrey (nee Swaffer) for 55 years. Loving father of Heather Lynn (Andrew) Warner and Richard Donald Todd (Jennifer) Harder. Devoted Grandpa of Glenn Norman Harder. Dear brother of Kathy, Ann, Peter, Jessie, Verna, Harry, and Martin, and brother-in-law of Kenneth, Elaine, Robert and Donald. Predeceased by his parents Gerhard and Anna Harder, parents-in-law Charles and Isabelle Swaffer, siblings Doris, Menno, Edward, and George, and brother-in-law Ronald. Will also be missed by his many nieces and nephews, cousins and friends. Special thank you to Dr. Juergens and the caring staff at the Juravinski Hospital, as well as the St. Joseph's Nursing Team, especially Maureen and Vida for all the compassion and support they gave. Donald was born on the family farm in Morris, Manitoba. As a young man, he worked on the DEW (Distance Early Warning) Line in Arctic Canada, and when he came home, he bought a 1957 Ford Meteor and met his beautiful wife Audrey, and they married in 1960. Donald operated his own auto body shop - Harder Auto Body, while enjoying things like drag car racing with his GTO, slalom water skiing on the Red River and holding a private pilot's licence. Don later got into the insurance industry and moved to Ontario holding various positions, and retiring as Vice President of a major insurance company. He was an avid golf player, member of the Masonic temple, Township counsellor and Provincial MP candidate, collector and restorer of antique cars, developer and builder of over 40 custom homes as a "hobby", all the while enjoying spending time working with the horses on the farm. He was a mentor and leader for many and always a devoted family man. He will be missed. Visitation at Kitching, Steepe & Ludwig Funeral Home, 146 Mill St. N., Waterdown on Monday from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. A Funeral Service will be held at Carlisle United Church, 1432 Centre Rd., Carlisle on Tuesday, November 10, 2015 at 11:00 a.m., with interment in the adjoining cemetery. Reception to follow at Café Troy. In lieu of flowers, donations made in memory of Donald to the Juravinski Hospital or the Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated. Please sign the Tribute Wall at www.kitchingsteepeandludwig.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 07, 2015