Gerhard’s life began on August 18, 1921, the son of Gustav and Anna (Wiebe) Harder in their farmhouse in Whitewater, Kansas. He attended Whitewater Schools and graduated from Hesston High School, Class of 1939. He married Anna Louise Regier on October 5, 1945, in Newton, Kansas.
He was a farmer stockman and loved every aspect of farming. He was a member of Emmaus Church, enjoyed singing (and sang bass) reading and traveling.
His loving family includes his wife of 74 years, Anna Harder of the home; his children, JoAnn Harder of Wichita, Ron (Janice) Harder of Newton, Richard (Glenda) Harder of Whitewater, Jeanette (Walter) Braun of Paraguay, Eileen (Dave) Barkman of Japan, Anbeth (Mark) Anderson of Newton; brother Arthur (Norma) Harder of Olathe; sister, Ella Harnly of Manheim, Pennsylvania; 22 grandchildren and 34 Great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Gus, Herb, Walter, and Harold Harder; sisters, Martha Dyck, Ann Claassen, twins - Esther Wiebe, Elsie Regier and Agnes Wuthrich; a grandson, Christopher Harder. Gerhard passed away peacefully on Monday, December 2, 2019, at Wheatstate Manor in Whitewater, having reached the age of 98 years old.
His family will receive friends on Friday, December 6, from 6-8 p.m. His Funeral Service will be held Sunday, December 8, at 3:00 p.m. both at Emmaus Church, 9070 NW Meadowlark Road, Whitewater, Kansas 67154. Interment will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 8, in the Emmaus Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations in Gerhard’s name may be directed to Che Roga Camp in Paraguay or Okutama Bible Chalet in Japan in care of Lamb Funeral Home, PO Box 358, Whitewater, Kansas 67154.