Bernhard was born to Franz & Anna (Braun) Harder on January 3, 1945, at a very traumatic time in history. As WW II was ending, many Mennonite families fled with the retreating German army, sometimes by train in cattle cars, sometimes with a horse & buggy, a pushcart, or often just by foot; this became known as THE TREK. While they were on THE TREK, Bernhard was born in Dieterwald. He had a German birth certificate with the German Eagle on it but his birthplace was actually in modern day Poland. Suddenly in the middle of winter, the family had to flee again and just two months after his birth, his father died of tuberculosis and was buried in a local cemetery in Kamnitzleiten (now the Czech Republic). That spring, his grandmother, his mother and her four children (Anne, Kathy, Frank & Bernhard), and his mom’s two sisters and their children were on the move again and the Lord blessed them in many miraculous ways. The Mayor of the town where they had lived gave the whole family forged German documents which helped them cross borders and eventually settle in the beautiful little town of Suedgeogsfehn, Ostfriesland (north Germany).
Three years later they received permission to emigrate to Canada through MCC & Canadian sponsors, arriving in Mission in August 1948.
In January 1949, Bernhard’s mother married Rudolph Koop in Abbotsford and 3 more children were added to the family: Rudy, Helen & Jake. They grew up on a poultry farm and always had lots of work to do. Bernhard went to school in Abbotsford, attending both MEI and Abbotsford High School.
Bernhard placed his faith in Jesus as an early teen and was baptized in the “Yarrow Jordan” in 1963, becoming a member of South Abbotsford Church.
While at Abbotsford High School, Bernhard met Eleanore Janzen and they were married on September 24, 1966. They were blessed with 2 children: Sherilyn born in October 1967; Steven in July 1970. Clint Heppell and Caroline Thielmann joined the family by marriage and seven grandchildren (along with six more through marriage) formed the next generation. Bernhard was blessed to see a third generation; five great grandchildren and two more on the way. Bernhard’s family was always God’s greatest gift to him!
Bernhard’s early work experience in construction and as a salesperson for various bread companies fueled his passion for building and being an entrepreneur. He built a few houses and then started in land development with a surveyor friend of his; they did their first projects in Langley, BC. He then branched out to developing in Alberta, Oregon, and Texas. Bernhard was always a salesman at heart and could always sell himself. This was beneficial in pitching projects, getting loans, and forming new partnerships. His business career included both highs and lows but the Lord answered prayers in amazing and unexpected ways and always gave Bernhard the courage and confidence to move forward. After building a couple of projects in Chilliwack, BC, Bernhard found an opportunity in Grande Prairie, Alberta, and decided to move there. The next 12 years were wonderful years for Bernhard and Eleanore, bringing not only a great business opportunity but wonderful new friendships. Thinking of retirement, they moved back to the Lower Mainland in late 2012. Even though retirement was never in Bernhard’s DNA and didn’t really happen, they did spend lots of time travelling and with family. Bernhard’s love of nice cars and driving fueled his passion for RV’ing across North America.
The Lord gave Bernhard abundant energy and passion and he lived his life to the fullest with God’s blessing on him. On July 18, 2021, a beautiful sunny Sunday afternoon, Bernhard joined the Heavenly Host worshipping around The Throne. We may think Bernhard left us too soon but we take comfort knowing he is now more alive than ever.
In lieu of flowers, the family would graciously accept donations to the Ukraine Project. Information can be found at the following website:
http://www.mennonitecentre.ca/
Link to live streaming at South Abbotsford Church:
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