Brian Conrad Harder was born the son of Henry (Mike) and Elizabeth (Klassen) Harder at BethelĀ Hospital in Mountain Lake, Minnesota on December 10, 1944.
Most of his youth was spent growing up on a turkey farm west of Mountain Lake with hisĀ parents and five siblings. Hard work, laughter and a zeal for life was prevalent. School was not aĀ place to be taken too seriously, but rather an avenue through which he could excel in runningĀ track and having fun with friends. At the age of 15, he was baptized into the Christian faith atĀ First Mennonite Church.
It was during that pivotal time in his life that he met a āNelsonā girl from the west end of theĀ county. 4-H was paramount in both their lives. Thus, a loving lifetime of beautiful memoriesĀ began in the show ring at the Cottonwood County Fair. They were competing against each otherĀ then, but joined together in marriage on August 26, 1965, both conceding that āif you canāt beatĀ āem, join āem.ā To this union were born three children: Christy, Corey and Kelly. And with theirĀ children, the show ring would continue to be a significant part of their lives.
To fulfill his 1-W service obligations to his country, Brian and Carol served the first two years ofĀ their marriage as houseparents to emotionally disturbed boys at Craigwood Boys Farm in AilsaĀ Craig, Ontario, Canada. They were later asked by the General Conference Mennonite Church toĀ start a youth crisis intervention center in Clinton, Oklahoma. The center served the CheyenneĀ Indian community for over 23 years before being adopted into the Human Service Department ofĀ the state of Oklahoma.
In 1973, Brian began a career in real estate in Mt. Lake, working in partnership with his father.
He often reflected that he āworked along side his best friend and it never felt like work.ā In 1988,Ā he started a successful career working for General Motors at Towns Edge Auto, serving first as aĀ salesman and later as the General Manager. Each work-day began with the routine of morningĀ coffee at the local restaurant. Businessmen, farmers and friends shared memories, stories, andĀ opinions. Solutions for the worldās problems were abundant. And when illness prevented himĀ from attending these sessions, they were continued each Sunday morning around a dining roomĀ table so he could stay connected. This became known as āBrianās Sunday School Class.ā
To say Brian loved Mountain Lake would be an understatement. He was an active member of theĀ local Rotary and Lions Clubs, serving judiciously in leadership roles. He often reflected that heĀ was afraid (like his father) that the secret would leak out to the world about what a great placeĀ Mountain Lake was to live and everyone would want to move here. He also served on the localĀ City Council, Bethel Hospital Board, EDA Board of Directors, Mountain Lake Foundation, Mt.Ā Lake Police Commission, Cottonwood County Fair Board, Cottonwood County 4-H ExtensionĀ Board, Mountain Lake Christian School Board, Bethel Church Board of Trustees, Church YouthĀ Leader, Wednesday Night Bible Study leader, and Sunday School teacher. Together with CarolĀ he served countless years as an adult 4-H leader and softball coach.
Hunting the hills and plains of Wyoming was a life-long passion. With wonderful huntingĀ companions, he and Carol spent decades in pursuit of trophy wall mounts. When weatherĀ permitted, Brianās other passion was motorcycling. Endless hours were spent rumbling acrossĀ highways and byways, cementing bonds that will last eternally, with his two sons and cyclingĀ companions.
Brian loved to laugh and help people see the humor in life. With that came his love for youngĀ people which resulted in kids being absolutely drawn to him. His own children andĀ grandchildren, nieces and nephews adored him. However, beneath the surface there was wisdom,Ā faith, and common sense that was treasured by the countless friends and family members whoĀ turned to him in their times of need.
In 1976, Brian and Carol together recommitted their lives, their marriage and their family toĀ Jesus Christ. And it was into his arms that Brian found enteral peace on February 16, 2023.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry (Mike) and Elizabeth (Klassen) Harder and hisĀ son, Corey Douglas Harder.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Carol (Nelson). Two children, Christine Elizabeth (Rob)Ā Zelinsky, Brookings, South Dakota and Kelly William (Andrea Zuber) Harder, St. Paul. SevenĀ grandchildren; Riggen Zelinsky, Rhett Zelinsky, Raesa Zelinsky, Zane Harder, Lawson Harder,Ā Elizabeth Harder and William Davies. Siblings: Michael Harder, Doug (Becky) Harder, GailĀ (Steve) Erickson, Sandy (Steve) Schroeder, Tom (Jackie) Harder. Daughter-in-law; RondaĀ Diller. And a host of in-laws, nieces, nephews and friends.
Memorials may be designated or sent to the Brian Harder Memorial Fund at the Mountain LakeĀ Christian School for the Christian education of children.
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Blessed be the memory of Brian Conrad Harder.
A celebration of life service will be held at 2 p.m. at Bethel Mennonite Church on Sunday,Ā February 26, 2023.