Roberta Jean (Bobbie) Harder
June 17th, 1936 - January 28th, 2023
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Roberta Jean (Bobbie)'s Obituary
BOBBIE HARDER
Roberta Jean (Bobbie) Harder of Holland, Michigan (formerly of Stevensville) was peacefully called to her eternal home on January 28, 2023.
A Celebration of life service will be held on Thursday, February 2, 2023 at 11:00AM at First Congregational Church, 2001 Niles Avenue, St. Joseph, MI 49085. Burial will follow at Hickory Bluff Cemetery in Stevensville. Friends may visit from 10:00AM until 11:00AM, Thursday at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests the following memorials: First Congregational Church of St. Joseph or Hospice of Holland. Those wishing to share a memory of Bobbie online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com
Bobbie was born on June 17, 1936 to Harold and Janet (Dodge) Magee in Ypsilanti, Michigan. She enjoyed growing up in the country outside Ypsi and graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1954. She spent holidays and summers playing on the shores of White Lake near Whitehall, a place that always felt like “home.”
In 1957 she graduated from Grace School of Nursing in Detroit, became a Registered Nurse, and moved to Evanston, IL. Working at Evanston Hospital, she met Verlin Harder, who became the love of her life. On September 26, 1959 they were married at Greenfield Village and began their 60+ years of marriage. Together, they raised 2 children, Mark and Michelle and thoroughly enjoyed their 6 grandsons.
Bobbie was a quiet, private, tender person who was a living example of 1 Thessalonians 4:11 – “This should be your ambition, to live a quiet life, minding your own business and doing your own work.”
“Home” was very important to Bobbie. They moved several times and each time she enjoyed creating a beautiful, peaceful home. She cherished time at home with her husband, children, grandchildren, and beloved pets. She was well-known for her delicious homemade cookies and scotcheroos, which she generously shared with anyone passing through. Bobbie faithfully attended countless concerts, parades, half-time shows, and sporting events of her children and all 6 grandsons. She and her husband also ventured throughout the U.S. and Europe, often circling back to her favorites, Mackinac Island and Disney World, where they especially enjoyed hosting family.
Bobbie also cared about other families and her community. For many years, she served as a nurse with the Easter Seals Society Early Intervention Infant Treatment Program. She loved working directly with the babies, while giving hope and encouragement to the parents.
She and Verlin were members of Peace Temple United Methodist Church and First Congregational Church of St. Joseph. At both churches they developed lifelong friends who added much joy to their lives.
Her family gratefully acknowledges the staff at Point Iroquois and Eagle Harbor at Freedom Village in Holland and at the Hospice of Holland, who provided such tremendous care, love, and support for Bobbie and her family in her final years.
She was preceded in death by her father, Harold N Magee, her mother, Lucy “Janet” (Dodge) Magee, her aunt, Elise F Dodge, her sister, Mary Ann (Magee) Weiland, and her husband, Verlin N Harder.
She leaves behind treasured family members: son Mark (Angela Barger), daughter Michelle (Ted) Diamond, and grandsons Joseph Harder, Daniel (Cecilia) Harder, Thomas (Katie) Harder, Matthew (Meagan) Harder, James Diamond, and Jakob Diamond.
Roberta Jean (Bobbie) Harder of Holland, Michigan (formerly of Stevensville) was peacefully called to her eternal home on January 28, 2023.
A Celebration of life service will be held on Thursday, February 2, 2023 at 11:00AM at First Congregational Church, 2001 Niles Avenue, St. Joseph, MI 49085. Burial will follow at Hickory Bluff Cemetery in Stevensville. Friends may visit from 10:00AM until 11:00AM, Thursday at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests the following memorials: First Congregational Church of St. Joseph or Hospice of Holland. Those wishing to share a memory of Bobbie online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com
Bobbie was born on June 17, 1936 to Harold and Janet (Dodge) Magee in Ypsilanti, Michigan. She enjoyed growing up in the country outside Ypsi and graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1954. She spent holidays and summers playing on the shores of White Lake near Whitehall, a place that always felt like “home.”
In 1957 she graduated from Grace School of Nursing in Detroit, became a Registered Nurse, and moved to Evanston, IL. Working at Evanston Hospital, she met Verlin Harder, who became the love of her life. On September 26, 1959 they were married at Greenfield Village and began their 60+ years of marriage. Together, they raised 2 children, Mark and Michelle and thoroughly enjoyed their 6 grandsons.
Bobbie was a quiet, private, tender person who was a living example of 1 Thessalonians 4:11 – “This should be your ambition, to live a quiet life, minding your own business and doing your own work.”
“Home” was very important to Bobbie. They moved several times and each time she enjoyed creating a beautiful, peaceful home. She cherished time at home with her husband, children, grandchildren, and beloved pets. She was well-known for her delicious homemade cookies and scotcheroos, which she generously shared with anyone passing through. Bobbie faithfully attended countless concerts, parades, half-time shows, and sporting events of her children and all 6 grandsons. She and her husband also ventured throughout the U.S. and Europe, often circling back to her favorites, Mackinac Island and Disney World, where they especially enjoyed hosting family.
Bobbie also cared about other families and her community. For many years, she served as a nurse with the Easter Seals Society Early Intervention Infant Treatment Program. She loved working directly with the babies, while giving hope and encouragement to the parents.
She and Verlin were members of Peace Temple United Methodist Church and First Congregational Church of St. Joseph. At both churches they developed lifelong friends who added much joy to their lives.
Her family gratefully acknowledges the staff at Point Iroquois and Eagle Harbor at Freedom Village in Holland and at the Hospice of Holland, who provided such tremendous care, love, and support for Bobbie and her family in her final years.
She was preceded in death by her father, Harold N Magee, her mother, Lucy “Janet” (Dodge) Magee, her aunt, Elise F Dodge, her sister, Mary Ann (Magee) Weiland, and her husband, Verlin N Harder.
She leaves behind treasured family members: son Mark (Angela Barger), daughter Michelle (Ted) Diamond, and grandsons Joseph Harder, Daniel (Cecilia) Harder, Thomas (Katie) Harder, Matthew (Meagan) Harder, James Diamond, and Jakob Diamond.
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