Clara Harder, 87, died on Monday, August 29, 2005 at her nieces home in East Grand Forks, MN.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 A.M. on Wednesday, August 31, 2005 at Calvary Lutheran Church in St. Hilaire, MN with Reverend Terri Cuppett officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery, Thief River Falls, MN.

Visitation will be from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Tuesday, August 30, 2005 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls with a 7:00 P.M. prayer service on Tuesday evening and one hour prior to services at the church on Wednesday.

Clara Ericka Olson Harder was born on November 4, 1917 in Minneapolis, MN, the daughter of Edwin B. and Randi (Iverson) Olson. She was baptized in the Lutheran faith, in Minneapolis. She moved with her parents to the Crookston, MN area, where they lived for a short time and then moved to Wylie Territory, where she started school. Clara then moved to Black River Township, where she attended school the whole term.

Clara worked doing housework for local neighbors, before she was united in marriage to Lawrence M. Harder on June 29, 1940 in Thief River Falls. The couple lived in the St. Hilaire Territory. Clara also worked at Ingas Caf, St. Hilaire Liquor Store and for 13 years at the Eagles Club in Thief River Falls, as a waitress and bartender. Due to ill health she retired in 1985. Her husband, Lawrence, died in 1994 and Clara sold the Hobby Farm and moved to Thief River Falls into the Skylite Apartments.

Clara enjoyed raising ducks, geese and chickens and loved gardening, knitting and crocheting. She was a member of the VFW Auxiliary and Eagles Auxiliary of Thief River Falls.

Clara is survived by sister-in-law, Clara Olson of Thief River Falls, MN; nieces and nephews: Wayne (Donna) Harder, Annette Harder and Steven Harder, and Greg (Penny) Harder, all of Thief River Falls, MN, Yvonne (Bob) Bidwell of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Betty Harder of Thief River Falls, MN, Bob Olson of Kentucky, John (Delores) Olson of Thief River Falls, MN, Clarice Olson of St. Paul, MN, Charlie (Pam) Olson of Grand Forks, ND, Linda Olson of Grand Forks, ND, Helen (Rory) Anderson of Thief River Falls, MN, Marlene (Bob) Hjeldness of East Grand Forks, MN, Bill (Julie) Olson, Ann (Greg) Brosseau and Russell Olson, all of Thief River Falls, MN and Beverly Pawloski of Argyle, MN; several great nieces and nephews; several great-great nieces and nephew; special friend, Marilyn Mosbeck; and all her friends at Skylite Apartment.

Clara will be greatly missed by all her family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Larry in 1994; one son, Elvern in 1963; her mother, Randi in 1952; her father, Edwin in 1962; one sister, Alvina in 1944; brother Clarence in 1964 and brother Russell in 1995.
Family condolences may be sent to family www.johnsonfuneralservice.com
ORGANIST: Ida Nordvall
SOLOIST: Reverend Terri Cuppett
SELECTIONS: Jesus Loves Me and On Eagles Wings
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: Just As I Am and The Old Rugged Cross (print both songs)
CASKETBEARERS: Wayne Harder, Steven Harder, John Olson, Charlie Olson, Rory Anderson and Bob Hjeldness