Robert D. “Bob” Harder,

A Funeral Service for Robert D. “Bob” Harder, 92, of Odin, Minnesota will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday, July 3, 2025 at Zion Lutheran Church in Odin, Minnesota with burial in Zion Lutheran Cemetery in Odin, Minnesota with Military Honors.
Bob peacefully entered his eternal home Sunday afternoon, June 29, 2025 at the Good Samaritan Society- The Village in Mt. Lake, Minnesota with his family at his side. Visitation will be from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 2, 2025 at the Robert D. Harder Community Center in Odin, Minnesota and one hour prior to the service at the church.The Kramer Family Funeral Home of Trimont, Sherburn, and Welcome, MN are assisting the family with arrangements.
To view Bob’s Funeral Service, video tribute, or send a message of Sympathy, please visit www.kramerfuneralhome.com
Robert Dean Harder was born on October 13, 1932 to Cornelius Harder and Ruth (Leverson) Harder at St. James, Minnesota. He was baptized at Zion Lutheran Church in Odin on December 18, 1932 and confirmed on September 15, 1946.  He grew up in Odin and attended
school in Odin for 8 years and then high school in St. James, graduating with the class of 1950.
Bob then worked at the Odin elevator for two years. In 1952 he started working as a teller, bookkeeper at the Ormsby State Bank. In April, 1953 he entered the US Army and served in Germany for 19 months in the 1st Infantry Division, “The Big Red One,” as a payroll clerk. After leaving the army in 1955 he returned to his job at the Ormsby State Bank and worked there until 1968 when he purchased the Odin State bank at Odin. He continued to own and operate the
bank until February 1, 2023. He also started the Harder Insurance Agency until he sold it in 2015. He also started and ran the Harder Real Estate agency for 45 years. He enjoyed hosting a men’s bible study at the bank.  He was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church in Odin his entire life and served as treasurer for many years. He was Sexton of Zion Lutheran Cemetery of Odin from 1974 to 2024.
Bob enjoyed all sports. He played for the Odin Men’s Fastpitch Softball team for seven years,
and was the field announcer and sponsor of the team for many years. He was an avid fan of all
Minnesota sports teams, especially the Twins and Vikings. He has had Viking season tickets every year since 1965, and he had Twins ticket packages for many years since they came to Minnesota in 1961. He has attended every Twins playoff and World Series game at home except one.  Bob and Judy took many trips throughout their marriage and enjoyed traveling all over the world. 
He was always interested in working for community events. He helped in organizing the Odin Community Club auction to raise funds to purchase the grocery store building and get it reopened after it closed. He helped to sponsor the Odin Centennial celebration in 1999. Bob spent 37 years in the Odin Fire Department. He was proud of the fact that Odin State Bank received three “Outstanding” ratings, in 1998, 2019, and lastly in 2025, for community service for its customers. In 2000 Bob married Judy Nordby at Zion Lutheran Church in Odin. He told many people that it was the best thing he ever did in his life. Bob is survived by his wife, Judy Harder of Odin and her family: Michelle (Matt) Svalland and children Megan (Allyson Wiblemo) Svalland, Macy (Nik Samuelson) Svalland, great grandson Drayden Moldan, Maxwell (Kaitlin) Svalland and Stacey (Dennis) Stade and children Emma, Samuel and Elena Stade, his sister,
Rosalyn Fossum of Albert Lea, Minnesota and many other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents Cornelius and Ruth Harder, brother-in-law Gene Fossum and many other relatives.