Anna Marie Harder

Anna Marie (Regier) Harder, 82 passed away surrounded by her children on Saturday January 4, 2025, at NMC Health in Newton, Kansas. She was born May 14, 1942 at Bethel Deaconess Hospital in Newton, Kansas to Carl C. and Katherine (Doerksen) Regier. In May of 1957, she was baptized at First Mennonite Church in Halstead, Kansas where her long and faithful christian life began. Anna Marie married Willis E. Harder at First Mennonite Church in Halstead, Kansas on June 12, 1971. They were married 52 years. He preceded her in death on November 15, 2023.

 Anna Marie began her education in kindergarten at Bentley Grade School in Bentley, Kansas when her family lived and farmed outside of Sedgwick, Kansas. The family made a farming move to north of Halstead and Anna Marie attended Fairview School for her third through fifth grade years. An additional move was made to the family farm west of Newton and south of Hesston where she attended the Prouty Country School through eighth grade. Her high school years were spent at Halstead High School graduating in 1960. Following high school Anna Marie attended Bethel College, in North Newton, Kansas for one year, but had to place her college years on hold to go back and help her family on the farm due to her father’s health. In May of 1993 she graduated from Hutchinson Community College with her associates degree in business.

 Anna Marie worked at several businesses through her career in the accounting offices. She was great with numbers and people. Anna Marie never met a stranger. She had a keen ability to talk with anyone. She was a dedicated mother, farm wife, and career woman. She enjoyed working outside from a young age with her father on the farm and found great joy working the fields as a farm wife or helping wherever it was needed. She had a great skill set in all things agriculturally related. 

Anna Marie’s greatest joys came from her faith and family. Anna Marie’s church, First Mennonite in Halstead and for the last nearly 54 years First Mennonite Church in Newton were a very important part of her life, especially her Sunday School Class, The Livingstones. The members of her Sunday School class became like family. Anna Marie religiously read her bible and attended church and church functions whenever she was able. She looked forward to spending time with her family, children, grandchildren, and great granddaughter. She lit up every time she saw them. She enjoyed attending their activities, especially 4-H events. Anna Marie was the oldest of five girls and the oldest Doerksen cousin and near to the oldest Regier cousin. She valued time talking and reminiscing at family gatherings. 

She is survived by her son Jonn (Lisa) Harder of rural Newton and daughter Carol (Tracy) Budde of rural Walton. She is also survived by her grandchildren Jacob Harder and fiancee’ Cali Newdigger, Samuel Harder, Brylee Budde, Brynn Budde, and great granddaughter Hadlee. Her sisters Katherine Kaufman, Marlene (Jim) Bachtel, Carla Singer, Kristine (Jim) Thompson, sister-in-law and brother in-laws Don and Janice Regier, Richard Harder, and many cousins. Fourteen nieces and nephews fondly called her Aunt Annie. 

Visitation will take place at Petersen Funeral Home on Tuesday, January 14th from 5-9 P.M. On Wednesday, January 15th burial will be at 10 A.M. at Greenwood Cemetery and 11 A.M. a Memorial Service will take place at First Mennonite Church all in Newton, Kansas. 

Memorial gifts may be given to the Harvey County 4-H Program in care of Petersen Funeral Home in honor of Anna Marie’s lifelong involvement and support of 4-H.