Anna Gertrude HARDER

HARDER, Anna Gertrude
(nee Carothers)
May 23, 1924 - August 19, 2015
An adventurous heart has been stilled. It is with deep sadness, tinged with aspects of relief, that we announce the passing of Anna Harder at the scrappy young age of 91. A turbulent four months has ended what was otherwise a whirlwind of vibrancy, laughter, unequivocal support, and friendship. Anna Carothers grew up in DeWinton, and graduated high school (earned in part by hitch hiking to chemistry classes in Calgary). She then pursued nursing at the Calgary General Hospital, also collecting cherished friends. A short nursing career followed, but was diverted when she met Richard (Dick) Harder. Marriage and a trailer tour of oil towns ensued, but the addition of children demanded stability. They settled in Calgary, where Anna helped Dick with their service station business until retirement. Life was always hectic including school committees, endless chauffeuring, gift wrapping at Woodwards, and summers in Osoyoos. Genealogy research led Anna to the Daughters of the American Revolution, and she and her sisters helped to found the first Canadian chapter - a proud achievement. Golf was always an integral part of Anna's life with longstanding memberships at the Highwood and Pinebrook Golf Courses. Fierce in her love - friends, and more importantly family, were the cornerstones of Anna's life, and her inventory was staggering. Her children, grandchildren, and great- grandchildren all held equal and incredibly important places in her heart. She was relentless in her support, encouragement, and cheerleading. Special holiday dinners were often raucous affairs, abundant in laughter and games. Anna was always in charge of her own adventures and at the time of her 90th birthday celebration, she was still living on her own, still driving, and still golfing. Left to mourn Anna are her children: Janet (William), Grant (Sandra) and Trent (Mariette), and special niece Trixi (Darrell) - grandchildren: Jason (Shirley), Douglas, Lisa (Chris), Shelley, Danielle (Shane), James, Chandler and Renee (Dustin), and more recently great-grandchildren: Anna and Aaron - sister Barbara Knight, and brother Jim (Lee) Carothers. Anna was predeceased by her husband of over 50 years, Richard Harder. She will be missed in countless ways. A Funeral and Life Celebration will be held at OKOTOKS UNITED CHURCH (43 Riverside Drive, Okotoks, AB) on Thursday, August 27, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Alberta, 100, 119 – 14th Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 1Z6 Telephone: (403) 264-5549, www.heartandstroke.ca, and in Anna's honour, please raise a glass of Pinot Grigio while in the company of your family or best friends. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. In living memory of Anna Harder, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park.