Thelma Jane Harder

Thelma Jane (Unruh) Harder was surrounded by her family when she went to be with her Maker on December 25, 2010. She was born to Charles and Marie (Fast) Unruh on January 22, 1936 in Calvin, ND. Attending high school in Starkweather, ND, she later worked with the North Dakota School for the Deaf in Devil's Lake, ND. She graduated from Bethany College of Missions in 1958 in Bloomington, MN, where she met Gerhard Milford Harder. They were married on September 5, 1958 in Munich, ND. In August 1963, Thelma and Gerhard followed God's leading and traveled to Brazil with their family, where they served as missionaries for 35 years. Thelma was a teacher for the missionary kids' school and taught English as a Second Language. She also taught Sunday School and set up the mission library before returning to the United States in June 1998. Settling in Le Sueur, MN, she was active in her church as librarian, Sunday School teacher, and prayer group leader. She enjoyed painting murals for Christmas programs and making cards to encourage others. Thelma will be missed as a wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She blessed those she knew with encouraging words and constant prayer. Thelma was preceded in death by her parents, younger sister, and several brother-in-laws. She is survived by her husband, Gerhard; her three children, Mary (Jeff) Carlson, Le Sueur, MN; Gary (Jane) Harder, Shakopee, MN; and Terry (Laura) Harder, Shakopee, MN; her grandchildren, Gloria, Jason (Nicole) Carlson; Melissa, Jessica, Camila, Corbin, Dylan, Eli, and Faith; and brothers, sisters, nieces, and nephews. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, December 30, 2010 at 11 am at Word of Life Lutheran Brethren Church, 890 Kingsway Drive, Le Sueur, MN.