August 5, 1927 - October 14, 2024
Peter Harder was born on August 5, 1927, in Slavgorad, Siberia, Russia and came to Canada with his parents and brother Walter in 1929. The family moved to South Sumas Road in Greendale shortly thereafter. Peter went to school in Chilliwack, Greendale and Yarrow and then drove bus for Atkins Stage Lines in Chilliwack.
Peter married Katherine Fast on August 15, 1953. They had two children, David and Louise, and moved from downtown Chilliwack to build the first house around Sardis Park in 1965.
In 1963, Peter went to UBC to get his Teacher's Certificate and taught in Greendale, Little Mountain, Lotbiniere and Robertson elementary schools. He loved hiking and spent many Sunday afternoons riding motorcycles, exploring the mountain roads in the Chilliwack River Valley, with the family together with the extended family.
He also enjoyed waterskiing and patiently taught many to waterski behind his boat. Peter snow skied for many years well into his 80's and took his elementary school students on field trips to Hemlock Valley in order to teach them how to ski.
He always had a very strong faith in God. He was active in the Greendale MB Church throughout his life and taught Sunday School there for decades. He was a kind, caring and calm husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
Peter was predeceased by his wife Katherine in 2021, but remained living in the family home until October 2023. The family is grateful that God took him home, quickly without pain and suffering on Thanksgiving Day, October 14, 2024. He will be missed, but the family is thankful that God gave him a sharp mind and good health for his age of 97 right to his last day.
Peter was also predeceased by his father Jacob Harder, mother Kathie Harder, brothers Walter Harder and Alvin Harder, as well as sisters-in-law Betty Harder and Esther Harder.
He is survived by sisters Lillian Macauley (Roger), Alice Harder, children David (Marianne) Harder, and Louise (Al) Pichler, grandchildren Breanne (Luke) Dejong, Jaclyn (Scott) Widenmaier, Rachel (Danny) Tourville, Kurt Pichler, Alex (Janice) Pichler, Eric Pichler, Catalina Johnston (foster granddaughter) ten great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
The family is grateful to his neighbours for their kind and caring support, as well as Dr. Basson, Fraser Health, and Community Care, and all the staff at Bevan Trillium Lodge in Abbotsford for their excellent care.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, November 9, 2024, at 11:30 am at the Greendale MB Church, 6550 Sumas Prairie Rd, Chilliwack, BC.
Service Details
11:30 AM