Maria (Peters) Harder was born June 1, 1923 to Henry and Anna (Friessen) Peters in Hague Saskatchewan. She passed away peacefully at home April 8, 2006.
She was the fourth girl of nine in the family. At the age of two, she moved to Mexico with her parents and siblings where she lived in the State of Durango. There she met her future husband whom her father had taken on as a hired hand. While at home she helped her father with his business of selling firewood. She and her sisters would cut two wagon loads a day. They were cut with a hand saw then split for cook stoves. During harvest time they were hired out to help others with harvesting.
Maria married Martin Harder Dec. 12, 1943. While in Mexico they had five children. Two passed away as infants. Times were really hard so they sold all they had and moved to Manitoba, Canada. When they got to Canada they had $5 left. Mom helped supplement Dad’s income by cleaning others houses and harvesting seconds of produce for canneries. Here another daughter was born to them. Then next they moved to Warman, Saskatchewan. This is where another son was born. A year and a half later they moved to Danskin B.C. where another daughter was born. Then because of Dad’s work the summers were spent at Penalton Bay and the winters at ByTown. During this time they had five more children. After this they settled in Palling where their youngest daughter was born.
While she could, she enjoyed baking, sewing comforts and embroidery for the family and friends.
She had a very strong faith in God which saw her through the hard times of her life.
Her husband Martin died from injuries from a vehicle accident. The accident was July 5, 1968. Maria was also in the vehicle and sustained many injuries.
Maria is survived by children Helen Weibe, Fraser Lake, B.C., Anna Taylor, Redcliff, AB., Mary (Ralph) Hall, Fauquair, B.C., Martin (Loretta) Harder, Hyth, Ab., Susan (Jim) Currie, Burns Lake, B.C., Merle and Shelley Olin, Fort Fraser, B.C., Tina (Andie) Lavoie, Dawson Creek, B.C., Agnus (Jacob) Peters, Montney, B.C., Eva (Dick) Reimer, Dawson Creek, B.C., Nitta Harder, Burns Lake, B.C., 37 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren. Sisiters Tina Dyck, Manitoba, Helen Nuefeld, Mexico, Nettie (Isaak) Hiebert, Mexico.
Maria was predeceased by husband Martin Harder and sons; Henry, Cornelius, daughters; Anna, Christine, son in laws; Keith, Paul, Phil, and five grandchildren.
“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints”.