Harold P. Harder

Funeral Service will be live-streamed aizlutheranparish.com

Harold Peter Harder of Munich ND passed away on Thursday, February 20, 2025 at CHI, St. Alexius Health, Devils Lake Hospital at the age of 86 years. 

There will be a gathering of family and friends at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake, ND on Tuesday, February 25th from 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service and Time of Remembrance at 7:00 p.m. The funeral service for Harold will be at Zion Lutheran Church, Munich on Wednesday, February 26th at 10:30 a.m. with Reverend Scott Ramey officiating. Military Honors will be accorded following the funeral service with burial in Zion Lutheran Cemetery, rural Munich in the spring. 

Harold Peter Harder was born March 30, 1938, in rural Munich, ND, the 5th child of Peter and Elizabeth (Hoffman) Harder. He grew up on the family farm and attended school in Munich.

December 5, 1961, he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Barbara June Scharf. On December 11th he left for basic training as he was drafted into the United States Army. Harold was stationed in Fort Riley, Kansas and while there he and Barbara started their family having Tammie and Thomas.

Once he was done serving in the Army, they moved back to the family farm where he started farming. They completed their family, having two more children, Tracy and Terrence.

IN the winter months, Harold worked for a plumber and an electrician. He also drove truck, hauling grain to Duluth and Minneapolis. In later years he farmed with his two sons.

Harold’s passion was farming. He did this his entire life, planting 50 crop years before retiring in 2013.

Harold was a proud member of Zion Lutheran Church, Munich, serving on their board for many years. He also spent many years on the Trier Township Board.

When he wasn’t working, he loved to fish and in later years his passion became restoring old tractors.

Harold is survived by his wife of 63 years, Barbara, Munich ND; daughter Tammie Harder, Grand Forks, ND, son Thomas (Susan) Harder, Munich, daughter Tracy (Lawrence) Bittner, Chesapeake, VA and son Terrence (Gail) Harder, Munich; eight grandchildren Jenna (Tyler) Curran, Joclyn (Justin) Hall, Brian (Kaylah) Bittner, Megan (Collin) Meador, Braden Harder, Logan (Kate Woidtke) Harder, Casey (Luke) Weston, and Coty (Michael) Kraft; nine great grandchildren; brother Darol (Gerry) Harder, McVille, ND; sisters Elsie Decker, Vancouver WA, Dorothy Lampson, Alsen ND, Elaine Stremick and Carol Falde both of Cando ND; brothers-in-law and sister-in-law Robert Schaft, Oakland OR and Jim and Ginger Burkey, Colorado Springs CO; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Peter and Elizabeth, a sister in infancy, brother Robert Harder, sisters-in-law Lorrayne Harder and Norma Scharf, brothers-in-law Bob Decker, Orville Lampson, Richard Scharf and Ernest Falde and in-laws Joe and June Scharf.

Urn Bearers will be Thomas and Terrence Harder, Lawrence and Brian Bittner, and Braden and Logan Harder.