Martin D. Harder, age 77, a resident of Windsor Park in Carol Stream, IL, died October 26, 2020. He was born February 4, 1943 in Mountain Lake, Minnesota to Harry & Anna Harder.

Martin had many fond memories from his childhood on a farm in southwestern Minnesota. When he was 13 his family moved to Paraguay with the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) where he enjoyed helping his dad on a road building project, operating large equipment as a young teen.

While Martin was studying at the University of Minnesota he met Mary Dick who was still in high school. During that time Martin's favorite dating activity was going to car races. After Mary graduated high school and was in school in Minneapolis their dates were upgraded to watching the airplanes take off and land at the Minneapolis airport. They married after Martin's graduation and started their lifetime of moving adventures.

The first state where they made their home was Indiana. After two locations there they moved to Iowa. This was during the Vietnam War and after living in Iowa just three months, Martin was drafted. His faith inspired his commitment to peacemaking so at the age of 18 he had registered as a conscientious objector. After being drafted he served two years in Akron, Pennsylvania at the headquarters of MCC. Both Martin and Mary volunteered there, working in separate offices during the day and together in the warehouse many evenings. Martin was in charge of procuring and shipping medical supplies that were requested by MCC workers and mission workers around the world. Many shipments went to the war torn countries impacted by the Vietnam War.

The next U-Haul rental took them across the country to Tucson, Arizona, for graduate school. There Lori was born. He loved nothing more than lying on his back on the floor with baby Lori napping on his chest!

His masters degree in administration helped him land what was probably his dream job in the marketing department with Deere and Company construction equipment. In the 23 years with Deere, more states were added: Colorado, Texas and Minnesota came first. The move from Texas to Minnesota was less than a month before Chad was born on Thanksgiving Day and indeed, a healthy baby boy was much to be thankful for! Two years later Deere offered another opportunity that included a move; this time to Washington state. Two years later the moving van took the family back to Texas and then to Moline, Illinois, where Deere is headquartered.

While working in the Moline office Martin decided to take a one-year leave of absence from Deere to work for the John Deere dealer in Anchorage, Alaska. The 11 months there were filled with new adventures and very deep snow! Toward the end of the leave of absence Martin decided to return to Deere in Moline which resulted in one more move via U-Haul. It was the most adventurous move on the growing list, driving both truck and Pinto wagon down the mountainous gravel Al-Can highway. Eight days, one flat on the truck and one time siphoning of gas later, the family was back in Illinois! In subsequent positions Martin saw much of the world. He traveled to five continents, missing just Africa and Antarctica.

After early retirement, Minnesota beckoned. There Martin bought a pickup truck and thoroughly enjoyed the first stage of retirement driving as a courier in the Twin City area. He soon got to know every alley, one-way street, shortcut and illegal parking spot where he could get in and out before he was fined. Martin's favorite volunteer job in Minneapolis was with Urban Ventures, a Christian inner city ministry. Every Wednesday evening Martin and Mary played with a roomful of preschoolers while their parents took classes. It could be said, "A fun time was had by all!"

A cappella 4-part singing was something Martin enjoyed, beginning with singing in his high school choir and continuing through most of his adult life. Wherever he lived he sang bass in the church choir whenever his travel schedule allowed. Other hobbies included downhill skiing, especially with Chad, jogging, racquetball and watching the Minnesota Gophers and Vikings play football. He found much joy in helping others right up to the last months of his life.

While living in Minneapolis he became aware of his beginning memory loss. As it progressed, it became clear that one more move was needed. That move brought Martin and Mary to a continuing care retirement community in Carol Stream, Illinois. Martin lived with Mary in their independent apartment for four years before moving to memory care, where he lived a little over two years. There he gradually adjusted and became part of another community.

Martin will be missed by family and friends but we have faith that we will be reunited one day!

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Mary; his children Lori (Mark) Holmertz & Chad (Kara McMahon) Harder; his grandson Jaden; and his sister Margaret (Jack) Janzen.

Preceded in death by his baby sister Elaine and his parents.

Services are private.

Memorial gifts may be directed to Mennonite Central Committee , 21 S. Twelfth Street, Akron, PA 17501 and Windsor Park Benevolent Fund , Office of Philanthropy, 124 Windsor Park Drive, Carol Stream, IL 60188.

Family and friends may sign a guest book at hultgrenfh.com. For more information, please call Hultgren Funeral Home at 630-668-0027.