Glenn Leslie Harder, father, grandfather and great grandfather, with his family by his side, left to join our Mom in heaven on June 18, 2025. Dad was our rock and our support. He had a great love for his wife and family, and it shone through in everything he did. He said that if he won a million dollars that he would help his grandchildren and then give the rest to charity. Dad had a giving heart and was happy with a simple life. He was very accepting, made the best of all situations and he often said how blessed he had been.
Dad was born at home on July 31, 1934 near Beaver Flat, Sk. during the depression. He was very ill as a child. He grew up on the farm, herded cattle with his horse and tended the animals. He was always a cowboy at heart. He loved gardening, nature, horses, dogs and the ranching life. He often talked about his early experiences, especially his quarter horse Champ and his dog Pudix, the night he nearly froze to death and the year he courted Mom.
Dad was a storyteller. He had 90 years worth of stories to tell. He loved to talk about his experiences and we loved to hear those stories. Dad also had many favourite sayings: “the smell of money” for cow manure, “cooking with gas” when you were accomplishing something, “winterizing” a bug you had just killed, “save for a rainy day” and “rub it” to heal any scrape or injury. Dad loved to make people laugh, he had a good sense of humour and a great memory. His grandchildren doted on him and called him Bampa.
Dad worked as an electrical lineman for the City of Swift Current for 32 years. There were no bucket trucks when he began his job. Linemen climbed wooden power poles with spurs. It was a demanding, dangerous and difficult job. Many times, he worked 40 hours straight in all kinds of weather (snowstorms and thunderstorms) to get the power back on for Swift Current. He was our hero.
Dad was well known in Swift Current and loved living there. He would go to the store for milk and come back 2 hours later because he had run into so many friends that he had to visit with. Dad always had time for people.
Dad loved trips to the mountains, attending rodeos and hockey games, taking his grandchildren to the waterslides and to the West Edmonton mall; going for treats, family picnics in the park; swimming in the Creek with us, driving the dune buggy for ice cream, family car rides in the country, trips to the farm and fishing in his boat. Experiences with family and friends meant the most to him. Dad believed if we persevered, challenged ourselves and pulled together, we could get through anything. Dad taught us to drive, to work hard, to be honest, to love God, and to respect others.
Some of Dad's spark left when Mom died, but he tried to be present for all of us during his own grief. It gives us comfort to know he is with Mom again. Dad was predeceased by his loving wife Thelma Harder (nee Keith), his parents Catherine (Tina) and George Harder, his sister Sylvia Reddicopp, brother Loran Harder, brothers-in-law Lawrence Feil, Pete Reddicopp, Brian Kearns and Gordon Keith. He is survived by his sisters Patricia Kearns and Candy Phipps, sisters-in-law Lilian Feil and Vivian Tuschcher, his children Cheryl Hughes (Michael), Marty Harder (Sue), Jason Harder, his grandchildren Brandon Harder, Mark Hughes (Josie), Chelsea Fataki, Kiera Hughes (Jordan), Jessa Hughes (Liam), Alora Trask (Michael), and Brooklyn Harder, and his great grandchildren Jaydon Fataki, Atalie Trask and Finnian Hughes, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
“Remember that when you leave this earth you can take with you nothing that you have received, only what you have given - a full heart enriched by honest service, love, sacrifice and courage.” St. Francis of Assisi. Sleep peacefully Dad until the circle is unbroken.
A private family service will be held at a later date.
In memory of Dad donations to World Vision or a charity of the donor's choice would be appreciated by the family.
Funeral Arrangements are in care of the Swift Current Funeral Home. For further information please call 306-773-8355 or to leave a personal message of condolence on the family’s obituary page, please go to www.swiftcurrentfuneralhome.com/notices/ Glenn -Harder