Obituary

Ruth Elizabeth Harder

Obituary

Ruth Elizabeth (Ewert) Harder, 95, passed away on Thursday (May 12, 2016) in Newton. She was born in rural Hillsboro on December 9, 1920, to Bertha and John Ewert.

She married Ernst Harder on Aug. 23, 1946. He preceded her in death (in 1995), as did two children, Karl David and Ronald Ernst; a sister, Bertha Nickel; and a brother, Daniel Ewert.

She is survived by four children: Trudy Harder (Carlos Rauschert), Rich (Rosie) Harder, Margie (Ernst) Wiens and Robert (Cindy) Harder; nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Ruth attended Tabor College and Bethel College (Home Economics), and the Mennonite Seminary in Chicago. Together with her husband they served in the USA and internationally in Paraguay, Germany and Uruguay.

Retirement in North Newton included active participation at Bethel College Mennonite Church, AAUW and the quilting group. She also volunteered for Newton schools as an ESL tutor.

Ruth had a kind and caring heart, was always open to listening and learning, interested in each family member and was a blessing to many people around the world. She will be missed!

A celebration of life memorial service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday, May 23, at the Bethel College Mennonite Church in North Newton.

Memorials have been designated for the Mennonite Central Committee and the Kansas Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (KIPCOR) in care of Miller-Ott Funeral Home, 107 S. Lancaster, Hesston, KS 67062.