James Harder

Mass of Christian burial was held on Tuesday, December 5, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Winner, SD. Burial was in the Winner City Cemetery. Mason Funeral Home of Winner, SD, was in charge of arrangements. Jim was born on September 17, 1925, the oldest of four boys, to Elmer and Sophia (Laur) Harder, in Tyler, MN. His family moved to Burke, SD for several years, and then to Gregory, SD, when he was about five years old. Jim’s father passed away when he was nine years old and he began helping support his family at an early age, by cleaning the bank, starting the furnace there, delivering newspapers, and lifeguarding and managing the Gregory City Pool while in high school.

Jim was active in sports, playing basketball and football, and graduated from Gregory High School in 1943.

After graduation, Jim enlisted in the United States Coast Guard. He was assigned to an LST (Landing Ship Tanker), and went overseas in March, 1944. They made first English Channel Crossing on D-Day, and then landed on Omaha, Utah, and Sword Beaches. His ship made 60 trips across the English Channel, carrying troops and tanks across, and bringing prisoners back. Jim’s ship was called the “Lucky 27”, as their anchor fouled on a trip, leaving another ship to take their place ahead of them. That ship hit a land mine, killing all sailors. He returned to the US in August 1945, and was stationed in Boston for three months before being honorably discharged on February 26, 1946.

Jim then attended one year of college at South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD, and started working for the Rosebud Electric Cooperative in Gregory, SD, in 1949, as their office manager until his retirement in 1988.

Jim met Gladys Graesser at a dance in Dallas, SD, and they were married November 16, 1948. To this union one daughter, Pam, was born. They made their home in Winner, SD, and he and Gladys spent many hours helping care for their grandsons, and following their ballgames and golf meets. They enjoyed golfing, playing partner pitch, and watching the MN Twins play. He and Gladys moved to Golden Prairie Manor in Winner in 2015.

Jim was a member of the Winner Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, the Gregory American Legion for 69 years, and the Winner VFW.

James Elmer Harder, age 98, of Winner, SD, passed away on Tuesday, November 28, 2023 at the Winner Regional Long Term Care Center in Winner, SD.

He is survived by daughter Pam (Rich) Kolecka of Winner, SD; grandsons: Mark Kolecka of Pierre, SD, and Chad Kolecka of Omaha, NE; sisters-in-law: Jean Ann Harder of Rapid City, SD, Gladys Harder of Creighton, NE, and Shirley Harder of Newcastle, WY; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife of 73 years, Gladys; and brothers Jerry, Bill, and Tom Harder.