Edgar Harder
Obituary
Edgar John Harder was born to John S.
and Emilie Harder on July 22, 1928, at the Bethel Deaconess Hospital
in Newton. He grew up on a farm near Whitewater with his two younger
sisters, Linda and Elfrieda. After a long struggle with Parkinson's
disease, Edgar passed away on Wednesday (May 9, 2018) at Wheat State
Manor in Whitewater.
Edgar was baptized on May 20, 1945, and
joined the Emmaus Mennonite Church. He attended Claypool Grade
School, Bethel Academy and graduated high school from Hesston Academy
in 1947. Edgar served a 1-W term as an alternative to military
service, working at Topeka State Hospital from 1952 to 1954.
On June 18, 1953, Edgar married Agnes
(Wiebe) Harder and together they lived on their farm in Whitewater
and raised their three children: Diana, Kenton and Stanley.
Edgar's great-grandfather and his
family came from Europe in 1876 and bought land from the railroad for
$7.50/acre. Edgar loved farming. Together with his cousin, Don
Harder, they raised hogs and grew wheat, milo and soybeans.
Edgar served as church treasurer and
served on the building committee at Emmaus. He and Agnes became
members of Grace Hill Mennonite Church, where Edgar served as the MMA
Advocate (Everence) for many years.
Edgar served on the Frederic Remington
High School board, the Wheat State Manor board, the Butler County
Farm Bureau board, the agriculture committee of the Butler County
Junior College and several local co-op business boards. Edgar and
Agnes were Butler County Farm Family of the Year in 2001.
Edgar will be remembered by many. He is
survived by his wife, Agnes; daughter, Diana and husband Marlin
Thiessen of Burns; sons, Kenton of El Dorado and Stanley and wife
Jeanette of Omaha, Nebraska; and sister, Elfrieda Harder of Salina.
He had six grandchildren: Carmen and husband Andy Fasnacht, Bradley,
Matthew, Travis and Megan Thiessen, and Jonathan Harder and wife
Amanda; and six great-grandchildren: Luke, Paul, David, Samuel, Aiden
and Ellie Fasnacht.
He was preceded in death by his parents
John S. and Emilie Harder; and his sister, Linda Harder.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m.
Sunday (May 13, 2018) at Grace Hill Mennonite Church in rural
Whitewater. Family and friends are welcome to attend the burial at
9:30 a.m. Monday (May 14, 2018) at Emmaus Mennonite Cemetery at 110th
and Meadowlark in rural Whitewater. The memorial service will be at
11 a.m. Monday at Grace Hill Mennonite Church.
The family suggests memorial gifts be
given to Mennonite Central Committee or Wheat State Manor. Online
condolences at www.zeinerfuneralhomes.com. Services by Lamb Funeral
Home, Whitewater, 316-799-2000.
