Phyllis "Pat" M. Harder

Phyllis “Pat” Harder passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 18, 2024 at Holton Manor, Elkhorn, WI. 

Pat was born March 21, 1928 to Edward and Esther (Borchardt) Lange in Waupun, WI. She worked at Braun’s Restaurant, Admanco and late in life delivering papers for the Ripon Commonwealth Press in Ripon, WI. She was a member of Our Savior’s United Church of Christ in Ripon until she moved to be closer to family. Her faith was extremely important to her, and she was determined to pass that on to her sons. Additionally, she loved to sing hymns, polka, spending time on the lake fishing with family, and was a diehard Brewers and Packers fan. She will be missed greatly.

Pat is survived by her children, Wayne (Kathleen) Zuege, Bradenton, FL, Lee (Ronnie) Zuege, Hot Springs Village, AR, Russell (Susan) Zuege, Marysville, MI, and Chaplain, Lt Col Todd (Heidi) Harder, Delavan, WI; stepchildren, Richard Harder, Palm Springs, CA, and Deanna (Gary) Gehrke; sister-in-law, Patricia Lange, Gardena, CA; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Laurence “Butch” Harder; son, Dale Zuege; stepson, Douglas Harder; a grandson, Jamin Zuege; great-granddaughter, Jenell Zuege; brothers, Gerald Lange and Allen Lange; and her sister, Doris Rahn. 

Interment and committal service will take place at 10:00 am on Saturday, September 28. 2024 at Woodlawn Cemetery, Ripon, WI.

Visitation for Pat will be held from 11:00 am until 12:00 pm on Saturday, September 28, 2024 at Trinity Evangelical Free Church, 777 Harvey St., Ripon, WI 54971. A memorial service will follow at 12:00 pm also at the church, with Chaplain Todd Harder officiating. Memorial gifts can be directed to the Ripon PD’s “Rony’s Recruit” program, City of Ripon Police Department, K-9 Program, 100 East Jackson St., Ripon, WI, 54971.