Abram K. Harder

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ABRAM K. HARDER
February 13, 1929 – February 12, 2015

Abram K. Harder, of Steinbach, MB passed away peacefully on February 12, 2015 at the Concordia Hospital with his family by his side, at the age of 85.

He is survived by: his loving wife of 58 years, Helen, four daughters: Shirley (Arnold) Penner, Kathy (Peter) Funk, Linda (Dennis) Funk, Rita (John) Homme, three sons: Andy (Georgie) Harder, Marvin (Ruth) Harder, Ken (Karen) Harder, one daughter in law: Carol Harder, 25 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren and one sister in Paraguay.

He was predeceased by: his son John in 2010, his parents Abram and Elizabeth, and 12 siblings.

Dad was born on February 13, 1929 in Chaco, Paraguay. When he was 3 months old his parents immigrated to Canada. In 1948 when he was 19, his parents along with many other families moved to Paraguay to start a new life. Then as a young man he helped to establish the colony where he would call home for a few years. In 1953 he moved back to Canada, where he met Mom, they got married in August of 1956.

During their first years of marriage, Dad drove truck locally and then they bought a dairy farm where he and mom worked side by side for many years. When he semi-retired he drove school bus for 15 years. His hobby was wood working. He always had a project going, building everything from dining room sets to pull toys and trucks for the grandchildren.

In 2003, Dad fell ill and was in the hospital for 6 months. His health deteriorated over the next 11 years. On January 22, 2015 he was admitted to Bethesda Hospital with knee infections. On the 29th of January he was transferred to Concordia Hospital, where they removed both knee replacements and put in spacers with antibiotics to help fight the infection. With his lung and heart conditions, complications set in.

We had some quality time with Dad the last week in the hospital and watched as his face lit up when his grandchildren came to see him. He has taught us that life is not always easy but with God as our guide and helper everything is possible.

The family would like to thank the doctors, nursing staff at Bethesda and Concordia for the care that was provided to Dad and the kindness and understanding to us the rest of the family.

Viewing will be on Tuesday, February 17, 2015, at 7:00 p.m., with a devotional at 7:30 p.m. at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, Mb.

A celebration of Dad’s life will be held on Wednesday, February 18, 2015 at 2:00 p.m., at the New Bothwell Sommerfeld Church, with interment at the church cemetery.

In lieu flowers, donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba, 200 - 6 Donald Street; Wpg., MB R3L 0K6.

Happy Birthday Dad, hope you have a great party with family and friends, we love you and will miss you.

The family.

Arrangements by Birchwood Funeral Chapel
204-346-1030 or 1-888-454-1030

As published in The Carillon on Feb 16, 2015