Obituary of Agnes Harder (nee Bergen)
After a brave battle with breast cancer, Agnes passed away January 26, 2025, in her 83rd year.
Agnes leaves behind to mourn, her husband of 63 years Henry, daughter Kelly (Al), sons Mark (Cathy) and Jeff (Rebecca). As well as her precious grandchildren: Shamus, Jessie and Liam. She is survived by her sister Erna Epp (Henry), sister-in-law Annie Cotton (Art), brother-in-law Abe Pankratz, as well as many nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. She was pre-deceased by her parents Bernhardt and Katharina Bergen, as well as her brother Henry (Sima), and sisters Ann (Peter), Katie (George), Rita (John), and nephews Henry and John.
Agnes was born in Rosengart, Ukraine on July 31, 1942, as the youngest of six children. She came by ship to Canada at the age of eight with her mother, father, and three of her sisters. In 1952, Agnes, with her mother and two sisters, made their way from St. Catharines to Kitchener where she attended high school at Kitchener Collegiate Institute (KCI). When Agnes was 16 years of age, her older sister married. In order to financially support the family, Agnes left high school to find work. She worked at Mutual Life.
At 17 years of age Agnes was baptized at WK United Mennonite Church. In June 1961, she married Henry Harder, who she’d met in the choir. When Agnes and Henry welcomed their three children, she delighted in being a stay-at-home Mom. She loved her husband, her children, and her extended family with all her heart and she let you know with the most wonderful hugs! She loved to cook and bake aplenty for her family, knowing the first loaves of bread would be devoured immediately upon her children returning from school. Raising her children was her pride and joy and they all reflect and share the result of so much love and care. Spending as much time as possible with her grandchildren was her most beloved pastime. They have many fond memories of their grandma getting right down to their level to play with them for hours on end! She is remembered for the endless energy she had for those she deeply loved.
When Henry's health declined and he was not able to work, she worked at Manulife Financial for seven years, until retiring herself to enjoy other pursuits.
Agnes loved to be outdoors either tending to her gardens or looking for that next project to spruce up the house. She was an avid and fast walker, thinking nothing of going out for hours, walking 15km - 20km in one session. She will be remembered for her infectious laugh and smile and her genuine love and caring for those around her.
Cremation has taken place. A family celebration of life will be in the spring.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to Waterloo Region Hospice, through Erb & Good Family Funeral Home at www.erbgood.com.