Bernice I. Harder

A Funeral Service for Bernice Harder of Warroad, MN will be held on Friday, April 7, 2017 at 2:00PM at Zion Lutheran Church in Warroad, MN. Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 6, 2017 from 5-7PM with a prayer service at 6:30PM at Helgeson Funeral Home in Warroad. Interment will be held at Riverside Cemetery in Warroad, MN at a later date.

Bernice passed away on Tuesday, April 4, 2017 at the Warroad Senior Living Center at the age of 89.

Bernice Irene (Lindstrom) Harder was born in Ortonville, MN on May 1, 1927 to Lennart and June (Cable) Lindstrom.

After moving to a few small towns Bernice and her family ended up in Park Rapids, MN where she helped her family build the family’s home. She attended the JC of Crookston, MN where she received her B.S. Degree in elementary education. After teaching in several rural one room schools, she accepted a second grade position in Warroad, MN. After a few visits to the local gas station, Pete took a liking to the new school teacher who moved to town. Bernice came down with rheumatic fever giving him an excuse to deliver her groceries and mail. On June 6, 1956 on a hot humid day with the tornado sirens blasting they were united in married at Calvary Lutheran Church in Park Rapids.

Pete and Bernice owned and operated Pete’s Mobil and Café. Pete managed the gas/service station, bulk plant and bookwork while Bernice managed the café, rental cabins and trailer court. Bernice enjoyed two large gardens and canned hundreds of quarts of vegetables, fruits and jelly each year which were used in the café. There were also a couple of cabins to rent as well as “putting up” hunters for the deer seasons. They had up to as many as 27 hunters scattered around the floor of the house and café sleeping on cots and whatever else she could find. When able to, she did some substitute and Home Bound teaching at the Warroad School.

When Pete and Bernice were able to retire in 1975, they sold the business and build their dream home in the country. Between extensive travels around the U.S. and Europe she enjoyed her many hobbies of large flower beds, crafts, sewing, substitute and Home Bound teaching. She continued to can vegetables grown by Pete until he was unable to do so. Because of her love for teaching, her daughter Mary and she taught Sunday school for a while. She had a tremendous love of growing plants and flowers and enjoyed sharing those loves with friends and family. When company came, they always left with a very full belly.

Family was very important to Bernice. She loved being a Grandma and loved all her grandchildren, nieces and nephews tremendously. Bernice was a very strong, determined woman that was not afraid to stand up for what she believed was right and just. Let it be so!

Bernice is survived by her children: Steven and Terry Harder of Reedsport, OR and children Alicia and Derek Van Doren, Tiffany, and John Harder; Kathy and Troy Comstock of Roseau, MN and children Kristin, Danelle, and Kyle Comstock; Mary and Lois Harder McBroom of Brainerd, MN and child Macyn. Step children: Bruce and Mitzi Harder of Bend, OR and children Gary, Greg, and Jay; Patricia and Andy Kaminski of Peoria, AZ and children Tony, Teri, Todd, and Donny; Peter Leroy and Sandy Harder of Wheatland, CA and children Cindy, Dan, and Joe. Maxine Pennington (deceased) and children Peggy, Lanita, Diane, Laura, Marilyn.  Many Step great and great-great grandchildren. Sister-in-laws Marie Newcomer, Dorothy Heppner, Ann Heppner, and Martha Fast, brother-in-law Cornelius and Dorothy Harder. Sibling Carrol Greenzweig, Grand Forks, ND, Nephew and nieces: Karen, Alicia, Marlin. Cousin Sister Bernita Lindstrom Little Falls, MN, Special friend Joanne Horner Warroad, MN. Bernice considered her caregivers/friends as family.

Bernice is preceded in death by her parents; husband of 45 years Pete; step daughter, Maxine Pennington, brothers; Everett and Norma Thornton, Lewis Lindstrom, sister; Virginia and Felix Carrillo, Nephews Marlon and Reyes Carrillo, brother-in-law; Richard Greenzweig, four step grandchildren, and step daughter-in-law; Beverly.

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