After a motorcycle accident slowed Sy down a bit, he worked hauling ensilage. He traveled to many states, selling John Deere products earning many sales awards. After selling Corn Incorporated, he briefly swathed and baled before going to work for John Deere as a salesman. Since corn was not a common crop and there was no place close to haul it, Sy decided he would buy an elevator in Cornado, KS and made improvements to the property, starting a successful business, Corn Incorporated. The family moved to a farm near Marienthal where, together with his brothers, they raised Black Angus cows and were one of the first farmers in the area to grow corn. In 1955, they were blessed with their daughter, Phyllis.Īfter his discharge, Sy worked as a telegrapher for Santa Fe Railroad. On June 6, 1953, he was transferred to the Army Reserves and returned home to Newton. During his service time, he survived a grenade explosion on base leaving him with shrapnel in his arm. He was stationed in Alaska where he drove a tank, but Norma stayed behind in Newton. Twelve days later, Sy was inducted into the United States Army. On June 7, 1951, Sy married Norma Younger in Newton, Kansas. Joseph Military Academy in Hays, Kansas where he graduated from high school in 1949. Sy attended grade school at Holcomb and due to his orneriness his parents sent him to St. but after traveling through the blizzard, his uncle Sylvenus had him baptized and named after himself. His parents had chosen to name him John Jr. He was born during a blizzard and his uncle volunteered to take him for his baptism.

Peter, Kansas, son of John and Odelia (Appelhans) Wasinger. Please sign her online guestbook and leave a memory of Verna at To plant memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Verna Harder, please visit our flower store.Sylvenus E. Memorial contributions in Verna’s name may be directed to the Ponca Bible Camp or Good Shepherd Hospice. The Celebration of Life will be live streamed on MCTV20LIVE at the time of the service. Private burial will be held in Green Valley Cemetery, Furley followed by a Celebration of Life service Friday March 25, 2022, at 2 p.m. Verna was the company’s bookkeeper, go-fer, and she put a lot of miles on the trucks she drove.Ī family and friends’ visitation will be held on Thursday March 24, 2022, from 6 to 8 p.m. The company later became known as Harder Construction. Carroll worked as a counselor and Verna in the kitchen.Ĭarroll and Verna started Harder Service in the early 1960’s. Ponca Bible Camp was a big part of their lives up until their sons were old enough to attend. While at Swiss Mennonite Church, both Carroll and Verna taught various age groups at many different times. Verna taught Sunday School and VBS while in high school and later was superintendent of the primary department when she was in college. They were married on May 4, 1957.Ĭarroll and Verna were long time active members of Swiss Church in Whitewater which is now Whitewater Community Church. This is where she met her husband, Carroll. After teachers’ college, she taught at Countryside School between Whitewater, Elbing and Potwin.

She then attended Kansas State Teachers College in Emporia. She attended high school at Hesston Mennonite Academy. She was involved in the Macon 4-H club and later was part of the first group of Gem Go Getters 4-H club. Verna grew up attending Gem School just down the road from where she grew up. Verna is survived by sons Randy (Lori) and David (Vicki) grandsons Todd (Jaime), Andrew (Lorisa) and Alex and great grandchildren Austin, Lillian, Sophie, Allison, Addyson, Gemma, and Reese. Verna was preceded in death by Carroll L. Verna was born Verna Mae Chapple to George Harold Chapple and Anna Mary (Sommerfeld) Chapple on September 18, 1935. Harder, 86, of Newton passed away peacefully on the evening of Sunday, March 20,2022.

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