Obituary of Gertrude Harder

HARDER - Gertrude (nee Hildebrand) was born March 14, 1920 as the oldest child of Heinrich Hildebrand and Helena (Peters) in the Loebathol, Saskatchewan area.  She initially attended Reed Valley School.  As a young girl her family moved north of Gouldtown and there she and her siblings had to walk 4 miles each way to attend River Dell School.  As they walked to school each day they would pass a farm yard that she would dream of having as her own.  At 19 years of age on July 25, 1939 she married Isbrandt Harder and a few years later they purchased that same farmyard she had dreamed of living at as a young girl. She loved the farm life, driving the combine, milking cows, tending her garden, she also loved her family, but most of all she loved her God.  Each day, regardless of the busyness she knew lay ahead, she read her Bible, reading it through every year as long as her family can remember.  In 2000 she moved to the Herbert Manor.  In March of 2010, due to failing health, she moved to the Herbert Nursing Home.  She took her flight to heaven in the early hours of December 28, 2018.  She was predeceased by her husband Isbrandt Harder, oldest son Henry, daughter Henrietta (Wallace) Mitchell, and an infant daughter, Gertrude.  She was also predeceased by her parents Henirich and Helena Hildebrand, brothers Henry (Lydia), Jake and Isaac (Mona) Hildebrand, brother in law Diedrich Dyck, as well as a two very young sisters.  She is survived by her sister, Helen Dyck, sister in law, Vera Hildebrand, her children Kathy Bassaris (Henry), Abe (Elaine) Harder, Helen (Diedrich) Penner, Elizabeth McKnight, Agatha (James) Neufeld, Isaac (Heather) Harder, Katherine (Robin) Haensel, and Margaret (Brian) Funk, and 24 grandchildren, 52 great-grandchildren and 10 great-great grandchildren. Pallbearers: Grandsons – Bruce Beilhartz, Elliott Harder, Ian Harder, Darrick Penner, Michael Harder, Del Penner, Aaron Harder, David Neufeld, Isaac Harder, Brad Funk, Keith Haensel, Jon Haensel.  The honorary pallbearers are granddaughters:  Teresa Reierson, Yolanda Jeffrey, Sharie Little, Marcella Teichrob, Diane Vanblack, Charleen Green, Christina Bartsch, Angie Brocke, Cynthia Perry, Margaret Harder, Myrna Harder and JulieAnne Sparks.  A Funeral service will be held on Monday, February 11, 2019 at Living Faith Fellowship Church in Herbert, SK.  The interment will take place at Gouldtown Cemetery.  For further information or to sign the family book of condolence, visit www.parksidefuneralhome.com.  Arrangements are in care of Parkside Memorial Funeral Home – Ryan Cappelle.