Helen Harder

Obituary

Mom went to be with her Lord on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at Bethesda Place, Steinbach, Manitoba, at the age of 93 years.

Mom was born on November 27, 1932, in Prefontaine, MB., (near Ile des Chene) to Abram and Helena Friesen. She was raised on a farm, having one brother and being second oldest, had to work outside on the fields and doing chores. When she was older she worked in the beet fields hoeing, and later at harvest time topping the beets.

In August of 1956 she married Dad. The first years they lived in Silberfeld and in 1964 they purchased a dairy farm in Randolph, so field work and milking cows was a daily life for Mom. In June 1971, they sold everything they had and moved the family to Paraguay and started all over again. This was short lived. In February 1973 they moved back to Canada. A few years back in Canada they purchased a dairy farm in Grunthal, where they farmed till retirement.

After retirement, Mom did some sewing for a company in Winnipeg.

When they moved to Mitchell, Dad started woodworking and once again Mom worked with him. Dad died the building and Mom did the finishing, staining varnishing, and painting. Together they built furniture and toys for children and grandchildren. As life went on, Mom filled her days with doing circle a word, coloring, and puzzling. There was always a puzzle in the works.

Mom enjoyed when family came to visit, she especially enjoyed all of her grandchildren. Later the great-grandchildren put a big smile on her face. There were always cookies for the kids.

Mom’s faith in her Lord and Savior helped her to lived a life of good values which she passed on to her family. She lived a life leading by example, and always ready to lend a helping hand.

She is survived by her children, four daughters: Shirely Penner, Kathy (Peter) Funk, Linda (Dennis) Funk, Rita (Troy Kotek) Homme; three sons: Andy (Georgie) Harder, Marvin (Ruth) Harder, Ken (Karen) Harder, one daughter-in-law, Carol Klassen, 16 grandchildren and 11 spouses, 31 great -grandchildren and one spouse, two great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by three sisters, one sister-in-law, and one brother-in-law.

She was predeceased by her husband Abram in 2015, her son John in 2010, son-in-law Arnold Penner in 2025, her parents Abram and Helena Friesen, one brother, two sisters, and four brothers-in-law.

Rest in peace Mom. We loved you and miss you.

The celebration of life will be held on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at 2:30 p.m., at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, MB, with viewing 30 minutes prior to the service. Interment to follow at the New Bothwell Sommerfeld Church Cemetery.

The family would like to thank the staff at Bethesda Place for the care they gave our mother for the last two years.

Thank you to everyone for thoughts and prayers as we deal with our loss, and to Birchwood staff, who helped make this easier for the family.