ROBERT ALVIN HARDER

Robert Alvin Harder, 85 of Devils Lake formerly of Hampden, ND died Tuesday morning, March 13, 2012 at the Good Samaritan Center, Devils Lake with his loving family at his side. Funeral Services for Robert will be held on Saturday, March 17, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at Zoar Lutheran Church, Hampden, ND. Rev. Craig Wentzel will officiate and burial will be in the Storlie Cemetery, rural Hampden. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Friday beginning at 2:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service and Time of Sharing at 7:00 p.m. Visitation on Saturday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Serving as Casket Bearers for Robert will be Ryan Harder, Phillip Harder, Clint Harder, Rob Harder, Jason Jackovich, Jeff Billman, Chris Wirth and Rob Skjonsberg. Honorary Bearers will be all of Robert’s grandchildren. Robert Alvin Harder was born to German parents, Peter and Elizabeth (Hoffman) Harder on April 30th, 1926 at home on the farm near Munich, ND. Robert attended the Munich Public School and the Salem Mennonite Church in Munich. Robert was the oldest of seven children and was needed a lot to help on the farm. He also enjoyed trapping and hunting in his youth. Robert was united in marriage to Lorrayne Gordon of Alsen, ND on September 11th, 1949. They lived on the Gordon farm until the summer of 1958 when they purchased a farm west of Hampden and farmed there until 1990 when they retired and moved to Devils Lake. Robert and Lorrayne enjoyed traveling, both to the East and West coast, Branson, Alaska and in 2000 took a trip to Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Germany. Robert’s passion was farming, even after his official retirement from farming he would be out on the farm helping in springtime and harvest. He also enjoyed going for rides to look at the crops, the countryside and spotting wildlife. He continued hunting and fishing with his sons and grandsons as long as he could. Robert lost his wife Lorrayne of 57 years, five years ago. He lost his driving buddy Edwin Berge two years ago and going for rides just was not the same. In June of 2011, Robert entered the Good Samaritan Nursing Home and developed good friendships with many he met. Robert is a life member of Zoar Lutheran Church in Hampden. Robert was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. Robert and Lorrayne had four children, Phillip (Thalia) Harder of Green River, Wyoming; Geryl (Linda) Harder of Hampden, ND; Deanna (Patrick) Rubbelke of Baxter, Minnesota and Robert (Elaine) Harder Jr. of Laramie, Wyoming. Also surviving are two brothers Harold (Barb) Harder of Munich, ND, Darol (Gerry) Harder of McVille, ND and four sisters Elsie (Robert) Decker of Surprise, Arizona, Dorothy (Orville) Lampson of Alsen, ND, Elaine Stremick also of Munich and Carol Falde of Cando, ND. Robert has thirteen grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren. Robert was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, a brother-in-law Ernest Falde and a nephew Billie Falde.