Carol Wanita Harder, the daughter of Edward and Burnis (Gorseth) Hase was born December 25, 1937 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 am at Alliance Church in Mountain Lake, MN on Saturday, January 3, 2026. Visitation at Alliance Church from 4:30-6:30 pm on Friday, January 2, 2026 and one hour prior to the service. Arrangements made by Sturm Funeral Home in Mt. Lake. Online Condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.
Growing up in the city, Carol treasured her time visiting family in the Black Hills and spending summers in Wall, Rapid City, and Hill City. She received her education from Minnehaha Academy and graduated in 1955. Carol attended California Lutheran Bible School in Los Angeles for two years and enjoyed the time using her gift of playing piano and strengthening her foundation of faith and love for Jesus. She then returned to Minnesota and enrolled in Mankato State Teachers College. Carol was united in marriage to Donald J Harder in Minneapolis on December 17, 1960. They had 37 wonderful years together on the farm in Mountain Lake until Don passed away February 5, 1997.
Carol was an active volunteer in the community, visiting nursing homes, leading Great Books groups at area elementary schools, and helping at a variety of church events. She was also a leader in the Loyal Lakers 4-H club that all of her children actively participated in. Carol was also proud of her Norwegian heritage, visiting the country twice and meeting many relatives there. Her upbringing and experiences in life shaped Carol into a strong, resilient, and loving person.
Carol was a person who you would not easily forget; she was someone who loved with her whole heart and wanted others to feel loved too. She was known for her cooking, her love of cleaning, her hugs and kisses - always with her signature lipstick on. Carol was gifted with an incredible musical talent, wanting so badly to play piano as a young girl that she taped paper keys to the vanity dresser in her bedroom and pretended until a real piano could be purchased. Carol played piano up to the end of her life, the music flowing freely from her fingers, and God using the music to reach anyone who could hear.
Carol died peacefully on December 18, 2025 at Cottagewood Senior Living in Rochester, Minnesota.
She is survived by her four children, Gregory Harder of Darfur, MN; Philip Harder and wife Brenda of Mountain Lake, MN; Dean Harder and wife Jackie of Carmel, IN; Julie Harder of Lincoln, NE. Her six grandchildren: Gabriel (Jenna) Harder of Mankato, MN; Ellie Harder of Gothenberg, Sweden; Davis (Mikalah) Harder of Windom, MN; Andrew (Becca) Harder of Fishers, IN; Lucas (Paige) Harder of Muncie, IN; Paige (Kyle) Bussell of Fishers, IN. Her seven great-grandchildren: Sophia, Samantha, Isaiah, Hudson, Levi, Jace, and Caleb, all living in Indiana. Her brother John Hase; brother-in-law Ivan Harder; sister-in-law Betty Hase; sister-in-law Sharon Harder; sister-in-law Susie Hase; sister-in-law Susan Savard Hase; nieces, nephews, and countless friends.
Carol was preceded in death by her husband Donald, mother Burnis Hase, father Edward Hase, brothers Norman Hase and Joel Hase, sister Jetta Feil and brother-in-law Larry Feil; in-laws Glen and Luetta Harder; in-laws Ben and Caroleen Adrian; and many dear friends.
In lieu of flowers, monetary donations may be made to Heshima, a place that provides dignity for children with disabilities: Heshima.org