Frank Harder

Frank J. Harder was born on May 18, 1913 in Butterfield, MN to John and Anna (Heppner) Harder. He attended country school in rural Butterfield through the eighth grade. Frank farmed with his brother, Ed until he got married. On August 25, 1943, Frank was united in marriage to Elva Mohlenbrock in Mountain Lake, MN. To this union they where blessed with three children. The family farmed near Comfrey where Frank was on the school board for 14 years. In 1965, they moved to Alexandria and owned and operated Harder?s Resort on Lake Cowdry. He also built a mobile home park, drove school bus and later in life drove for the county to bring people to medical facilities and sold real estate for Ken Tessmer. Frank loved to fix things, woodworking, and playing pranks on people. He also enjoyed playing rummy, traveling by car and keeping the car polished. Most of all Frank loved being with his children and grandchildren. Frank died on Wednesday, April 22, 2009 at Bethany Home in Alexandria at the age of 95. He is survived by his sons, Rodney (Wilma) Harder of Santa Fe, NM and Charles Harder of East Troy, WI; daughter, Rocksie Gall of Papillion, NE; 8 grandchildren; and 9 great-grandchildren. Frank is preceded in death by his parents, John and Anna; wife, Elva; brothers, Diedrich, Ed, and Aaron; and sisters, Elizabeth, Anna, Marie, and Katherine. A funeral service was held on Monday, April 27, 2009 at the Anderson Funeral Home Chapel in Alexandria with Reverend Mark Astrup officiating and organist, Becky Worley. Interment was in the Evergreen Cemetery. Casket bearers were Frank?s grandchildren, Jason Motl, Travis Harder, Ian Harder, David Gall, Michael Gall, Robert Gall, Joshua Harder and Chelsea Harder. Honorary casket bearers were Frank?s great-grandchildren, Tatyana Gall, Benjamin Gall, Lilliana Gall, Isabella Gall, Micah Gall, Payton Gall, Jack Motl, Kayla Harder, and Abigail Harder. Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria.