Byron Elroy Harder

Byron Elroy Harder was born to Harold and Louise Harder of Luck WI, on 7/11/1941. He graduated from Unity High School in 1961. On June 8, 1963, he married Judith Roman in Minneapolis MN. They made their home in the Milltown/Balsam Lake area. They had two children, James of Balsam Lake & Michelle (Thayer) of Centuria. Byron entered eternal rest on Feb. 28, at St. Croix Health, with his family by his side.

Byron leaves to celebrate his memory, his son, Jim Harder, Balsam Lake, his daughter, Michelle and her husband Jamie Thayer, Centuria, grandchildren, Austin Thayer and Tyler Thayer (Holly Andres), River Falls, brothers, Gerald (Sandy) Harder and Lester (Sue) Harder, Luck, nieces, nephews, and other family and friends.

Byron worked as a firefighter at what used to be the Arsenal in Blaine MN. It is here that he learned and developed a life-long love for cooking. Other employment included the Ford Motor Company in St. Paul MN and the Polk County Highway Dept. in Balsam Lake WI. He retired from the Unity School District after more than 20 years of employment.

Byron was always a people person. His day was made when he made someone smile or laugh. While at Unity, he never passed up the opportunity to pull off a prank on the staff, and no one was considered “safe”. He had been an avid trapper, hunter, fisherman, trap shooter, horseshoe pitcher, and flower gardener. After his stroke in 2014, his enjoyment became watching the birds, deer, turkey, and even the occasional bear, from his kitchen window. Even after his stroke, his hunting family still took him out to share in the adventures. But what he enjoyed the most, was catching up on the local chit-chat while having morning coffee with his daily guests.

A Celebration of Life will be held on March 26th from 12-3:00 pm at Hack’s in Milltown. The address is 49 Main St. W, Milltown WI 54858 

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