Abraham “Abe” Harder passed away on Monday, May 30, 2011, at the Herbert Integrated Health Facility. He was born on July 10, 1923, to Johan & Margaretha Harder of Gouldtown, SK, the third of eleven children. He attended Riverdell and Big Coulee Schools consecutively. He was baptized in 1953, at the Sommerfeld Mennonite Church in Gouldtown. Abe worked various jobs including a Sugar Beat factory in Taber, AB, a farm hand in the Davidson area as well as a ranch hand in the Gouldtown area. Abe married Elizabeth “Elsie” Hildebrand on July 31, 1955. This union was blessed with three children, Menno James (1955), Lydia May (1958) and Carol Ann (1960). Abe was employed at the Research Station in Swift Current before moving his family to begin farming at Gouldtown in the fall of 1960. He spent many years working with horses and cattle and enjoyed the lifestyle that came with it. After 24 years on the farm, Abe retired, and he and Elsie moved to Herbert in the spring of 1984. Abe devoted much of his retired life to family – especially his grandchildren. He happily played the role of house-husband when Elsie was at work. He baked buns and even tried his hand at canning. Abe will be fondly remembered for his compassion for others, his wisdom and his humble heart. His support and advice will be dearly missed. Abe will be lovingly remembered by Elsie, his wife of 56 years; his children, Menno (Shirley Sherwick) and children, Tyler Harder and Jenna Harder: Lydia (Gary) Fast and children Leah (Curtis) Vanden Berg, Meagan Fast (Jesse Gracewood) and Andrew Fast: Carol (Murray) Metke and children Christina Metke (Adrian Feraguna), Carrie (Curtis) Klassen, Matthew Metke, Twila (Jeff) Kachmarski, and Travis Metke; his great-grandchildren, Jade Metke, Logan Kachmarski, Ledum Feraguna, Kalem Klassen and Evan Klassen; his sisters, Edith Vickers, Frieda Crawford, Hannah Webber and Alma Belter; his sister-in-law, Esther (Jake) Lepp; his brothers-in-law, Elmer Hildebrand and Ray (Elvera) Hildebrand; many nieces, nephews and friends. Abe was predeceased by his parents, Johan (1959) and Margaretha (1958); his brothers, Corney (1961), Jake (1988), George (2003); and by his sisters, Margaret Wiebe (1989), and Agatha Solberg (1992). The funeral service was held on Thursday, June 3, 2011, at 2:00pm from the Living Faith Fellowship Church in Herbert, SK with Pastor Donovan Epp officiating. Special music was brought by Barb Klassen. “Just a Closer Walk With Thee” and “How Beautiful Heaven Must Be” were sung by the congregation. Ushers were Earl Harder and Isaac Harder. The Interment Service was held at the Gouldtown Cemetery with the following grandsons serving as pallbearers, Andrew Fast, Travis Metke, Tyler Harder, Curtis Klassen, Jesse Gracewood, and Curtis Vanden Berg. Honorary Pallbearers were grandchildren and great-grandchildren; Christina Metke, Carrie Klassen, Kalem Klassen, Evan Klassen, Twila Kachmarski, Logan Kachmarski, Leah Vanden Berg, Meagan Fast, and Jenna Harder. For those wishing, donations made to the Gideons International would be appreciated by the family. Funeral arrangements were in care of Swift Current Funeral Home, Swift Current, SK.