Memorial

John Lynn Harder, 71, of Cedar Rapids, passed in peace, embraced by his daughters, Tuesday, November 07, 2017 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids. Memorial Service: 10:30 am Saturday, November 11, 2017 at First Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids. A visitation will be held from 4-7 pm Friday, November 10, 2017 at Cedar Memorial Funeral Home.

John was born March 1, 1946, the son of Alfred and Gladys (Van Scoyoc) in Keystone, Iowa. He grew up on a century farm where he was a fourth generation farmer. In his youth, he loved the thrill of the games of baseball and basketball and participated in 4H. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the Marine Reserves, where he served for six years. Being one of his greatest passions, John never quit farming and raising cattle. He had a natural ability for buying and selling land, so he acquired his real estate license and worked for Byers & Happel.  He was a well know farmer and land owner through several counties in Iowa.  John, along with his former wife, Carole Harder, raised three daughters. Providing for his family was of utmost importance.  He was a very hardworking man and there was no body like him. His dedication to honoring his daughter Jamie’s memory and his entrepreneurial spirit lead him to give back and establish annual scholarships in her name to Kirkwood Community College which was a goal of his lifetime.  

Survivors include his two daughters, Jennifer (Bart) Farrell, Alexandra Harder; three grandchildren, William, Sophia, and Owen Farrell; sister, Mary (Ron) Mapes; and niece, Melissa Trussell. 

He was welcomed into Heaven by his daughter, Jamie Lynn Harder; parents; and nephew, Jeff Mapes.

His family would like to thank the staff of St. Luke’s Hospital, particularly for the support from the MICU, as well as the continued efforts of The Unity Point Wound Center, Home Instead and Synergy.  A special thank you to Hank Wehrman’s support of their dad’s business. They are grateful for the love of his extended family which includes many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to First Lutheran Church in memory of John.