Obit: Harder, Rene Paul #2 (1931 - 2016)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Harder, Hediger, Liskow, Ubele, Malm, Marks, Livdans, Buikauskis, Zank, Koppert

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 12/21/2016

Harder, Rene Paul (3 May 1931 – 14 December 2016) With Flag

Rene Harder, 85, of Neillsville died Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2016, at the memorial Medical Center in Neillsville.

Rene Paul Harder was born May 3, 1931, in Christie, the son of Henry and Elsie (Hediger) Harder. He was educated through the eighth grade at the Mound School, north of Christie. He graduated from Neillsville High School in 1949 and then attended the University of Wisconsin farming short course from 1950 to 1951. Rene then farmed with his dad until he was drafted into the United States Army in 1953. He stayed in the Army until his honorable discharge in 1955.

In 1957 he married Joan Liskow of Neillsville. They had four children: Paul, Grant, Philip, and Michelle. They bought the Hughes farm in 1986. He kept six acres, restored the home and surrounding buildings. Joan Harder passed away in 1993, one year after they moved into the Hughes house. During his farming years, he was very interested in the Wisconsin Guernsey Breeder Association. He also attended many conventions and served as vice president for two years in the association. At one time, he had 130 Guernsey cows. He sold his farm to his son, Grant, in 2002.

Rene enjoyed deer hunting, golfing, and bowling, and was a member of the sheepshead card club for 55 years. He and his sons built a log cabin in the wood lot which became a gathering place for friends and relatives. During deer hunting, the cabin was called Christie’s Sharp Shooters.

In 1994 he married Anita Ubele from Latvia. Together they started a hobby farm, where they would grow strawberries, blueberries, and asparagus. On the farm, they also had sheep, goats, horses, and chickens. After 20 years, they sold the house to their grandson, Lucas Harder, and they purchased a home in Neillsville. Rene was a lifelong member of the reformed United Church of Christ and served on several of the church boards.

He is survived by his wife, Anita, one brother, Benny of Beloit, his children: Paul of Milwaukee, Grant and his wife, Darla, of Christie, Philip and his wife, Isabelle of Minneapolis, MN, daughter, Michelle, and her husband Mitch Malm of Loyal, two step-children: Rasma Marks and Ugis Livdans; 15 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Joan, his parents and three brothers: Henry, Jr. of Manitowoc, Hans of rural Neillsville, and Alan of St. Germaine.

Funeral services for Rene were held at 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 19, 2016, at the United Church of Christ in Neillsville. Pastor Jacoba Koppert officiated. Music was provided by Eileen Zank, organist. Interment was in the Marie Louise Chapel Cemetery in Christie. The Neillsville Veteran’s Council performed military honors. Visitation was from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday and from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Monday, both at the United Church of Christ.

Casketbearers were Luke Harder, Joe Harder, Sam Harder, David Harder, Otto Harder, Max Malm, Mackenzie Malm, Morgan Malm, Mason Malm, and Janis Buikauskis.

Online condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com.  Gesche Funeral Home is assisting Rene’s family with funeral arrangements.