Dorothy was born on October 16, 1916 on her parents’ farm near Cruickshank, SK to Peter Friesen Harder and Tena Harder (nee Braun). She was the first of the eight children Lenora, Ethelvine Viola, Tena, Leonard, Esther, Elsie and Clarence.
As the eldest, Dorothy was expected to help look after the younger siblings, help her father on the farm and her mother in the kitchen. She kept up this work pace throughout her 91 years.
Dorothy met Edward Newsham Hart at a camp meeting in Trosachs, Saskatchewan and was married to him on November 14, 1942. This marriage produced three wonderful children Diane, Lawrence and Gwen (better known as Gigi).
The first child, Diane, was born in Mission, BC while Edward was in the Air Force. Soon after they moved to Stettler, Alberta and operated a turkey farm. This is where Lawrence was hatched. Much later, Gigi joined the family. As a mother, Dorothy not only cared for her children but continued to work outside of the home. However, her first priority was always her family. She protected her children as she would say “like a mother bear would protect her cubs”.
Dorothy always had a sideline occupation whether it was operating her cleaning business or caring for the elderly at the rest home. Throughout her life she kept a large garden and enjoyed the pleasures of digging in it as much as the fresh produce it produced for the family.
Dorothy and family moved to Chilliwack to run a motel and eventually, Dorothy and Ed retired in Sardis. Dorothy lived for over 32 years in this area and it was here that she celebrated a 50th Wedding Anniversary and a 90th Birthday. She was active in the Church throughout her life.
She was predeceased by her husband Edward in 1992; her parents, Peter in 1973 and Tena in 1952; and her siblings Lenora, Ethelvine, Tena, Leonard and Elsie.
Dorothy is survived by her sister: Esther Porfoun; her brother, Clarence Harder; her sisters-in-law: Louisa and Olga; her three children: Diane (Dan), Lawrence (Nancy), Gwen (Zailani); her grandchildren: Stacey, Danielle, Jeremy, Damara, Damian, Jordon, Skye, and Rachel; and her great-grandchildren Nathan, Allorah, Brianne, Jessica, Zachary, Mia, Brennan, Makenna; and numerous nephews, nieces and friends.
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