Clayton Harder, age 82, of Prior Lake, MN, passed peacefully on Tuesday, January 17, 2023, at New Perspective Senior Living in Prior Lake.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, February 4, 2023, at 11 am, with a time of gathering, from 10-10:45 am, at Bethany Church, 6900 Auto Club Road, Bloomington, MN. Clayton will be laid to rest at a private family burial at St. Michael Catholic Cemetery, Prior Lake.
The rewarding life of Clayton Lee Harder all began on January 9, 1941, in Butterfield, MN. He was born the fourth of six boys to Peter and Mary Quiring Harder. Clayton and his brothers grew up working hard on the family farm in Warroad, MN. There was limited time for fun, but he enjoyed playing hockey when it was allowed.
After graduating from Warroad High School, Clayton furthered his education at Bethany College of Missions. Shortly after that, he and two of his brothers were commissioned to start a mission in Altonia, Brazil. It was here that Clayton met the love of his life. While visiting the dentist for a broken tooth, he met Yeda Iris Ribeiro. Their love story began, and on June 5, 1965, in Belo Horizonte, Clayton and Yeda exchanged wedding vows. This union blessed them with two sons, Paul and Robert. Clayton loved being active in their lives, playing soccer and spending time with his family.
As newlyweds, Clayton and Yeda joined the work at Betania, where Clayton’s skill set was shown. He often mentioned that he may never have preached a sermon, but his service was done with his engineering mind and capable hands. For the next 30 years, they worked as missionaries in Brazil, fulfilling the call God placed in their heart. With their oldest in college, they came back to Minnesota, where Clayton worked at Bethany Press for many years. After healing from a shoulder injury, Clayton went to work for his brother Willy at Deck Solutions and continued at the company until he retired.
Family and faith were the two most essential aspects of Clayton’s life. Clayton was selfless with his time: serving his parents, working side by side with his wife, supporting her piano business, missionary work, and endless home projects at his home and others. Clayton humbly served the Lord with grace, commitment, and devotion, for his whole life.
Clayton lived an adventurous and exciting life in all his experiences. A Harder family motto is, “If something is worth doing, it’s worth doing well.” Clayton loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. He was a dad who was always there whenever needed. He was the baby whisperer, Yeda’s sous chef, Santa’s helper, and countless home projects, including a tree house for his grandsons. Clayton exemplified to his family how to glorify the Lord.
Throughout life, Clayton persevered despite hardship and loss, especially the heartfelt loss of his wife. This changed his life, yet he persevered. In May of 2022, Clayton was diagnosed with cancer. He was once again faced with challenges, but Clayton put his trust in the Lord. God, our faithful father, provided Clayton with all he asked for and needed, and now he is experiencing his full reward in heaven.
The legacy of Clayton will forever live on in those he loved the most sons Paul (Susan) Harder and Robert (Jeanna) Harder; grandchildren Ethan, Samuel, Emily (Logan) Remetch, Madelyn, and Isabelle; brothers Willy (Joan) Harder, Arlin (Cathie) Harder, Stan (Marianne) Harder; sister-in-law, Marilee Harder, other loving relatives, and many dear friends.
Greeting Clayton home in heaven; his wife, Yeda; parents; and his brothers, Pete Harder and Gary (Thelma) Harder.
