Ronald Ellis Harder

Ronald Ellis Harder, 87, of Wakefield, NE, passed away on Thursday, August 14, 2025, at The Wakefield Care Center in Wakefield, Nebraska.

Funeral Services will be held 10:30 A.M. Tuesday, August 19, 2025, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in rural Concord, NE. Visitation with the family will be from 9:30 A.M. – 10:30 A.M. on Tuesday at the Church. Burial will be at Silver Ridge Cemetery in Ponca, NE.

He was born on January 19, 1938, in Ponca, Nebraska, to devoted parents, Carl and Verna (Stallbaum) Harder, who instilled in him the values of hard work and service.

A graduate of Allen High School in 1956, Ronald proudly served in the U.S. Army from 1961 to 1963, achieving the rank of Spec 4 before being honorably discharged. His dedication to his country and community continued throughout his life. Ronald married Janice Evans on September 2, 1961, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in South Sioux City, NE. After returning from military service, he moved to South Sioux City in 1965, where he owned and operated the Imperial Barber Shop for many years before becoming a truck driver for the Dakota County Road Department.

Ronald's life was filled with simple joys and cherished moments spent with family and friends. He had a passion for hunting, fishing, and bowling. A proud member of the South Sioux City American Legion and a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Concord, Nebraska.

He is survived by his daughter Patricia and her husband Monte Roeber of Allen, NE, along with his son Gerald and wife Loree Harder of Roanoke, TX. Ronald's legacy continues through his six grandsons: Heath (McKenzie) Roeber, Austin (Megan) Roeber, Cole Roeber, Jonathan (Gabby) Harder, Jacob (Taylor) Harder, and Justin Harder, as well as his ten great-grandchildren: Elijah, Bryan, Thomas, Eleanor, Rachel, Lucas, Hallie, Samuel, Olivia, and Grayson, with two more on the way. He is also survived by his sisters, Betty Casey and Judy Novak, and his brother Duane (Edith) Harder. Roommate Paul Parks.

Ronald was preceded in death by his beloved wife Janice Harder, who passed away on March 3, 2024, as well as his parents, brothers Carroll (Maureen) Harder, Dennis Harder, sisters, Arlene (Richard) Bloom, Shirley (Bruce) Book and infant sister Sharon Harder. He was also preceded in death by his brothers-in-law Pat Casey. Randy Novak and brother and sister -in-laws Richard (Ann) Evens Jr., Darrell (Joan) Schleisman, Gene (Phoeneil) Miller.