Obituary of Mavis Rajean HARDER (nee Abel)

July 30, 1937 – Melville, Saskatchewan
February 18, 2021 – Calgary, Alberta

Mavis Harder of Calgary, Alberta passed away on Thursday, February 18, 2021, at the age of 83 years.

Mavis was born in Melville, SK on July 30, 1937, to Rankin and Jean Abel. The family developed, owned and operated a summer resort at Moose Bay Resort, Crooked Lake in the Qu’Appelle Valley. Even though she moved to Kitimat, BC at the age of 19 and later Vancouver, she came home every summer to assist with running the resort’s concession stand, rental cabins, boats, mini-golf course and the dance hall.

Mavis travelled extensively throughout her life, with her most memorable vacation being when, in her early 20’s, Mavis and her sister Marnie sailed to Hawaii and vacationed for two months. She attended school in Melville and graduated from a Commercial Administrator course. Mavis pursued a career in Accounting starting with Calgary oil companies, followed by the Regina Wascana Rehab Centre. Her final workplace was with the City of Calgary in the Pension Department where she retired in the ’90s.

Mavis married Loran Harder in 1965. She enjoyed skiing and golfing and was a member of the Alpine Ski Club and the Seniors golf club. Her most cherished possessions were her dogs, “her kids”, Amber and Ginger whom she loved dearly.

Mavis is survived by her sisters, Marnie Abel of Saskatoon, SK and Pat Abel of Regina, SK; and ten nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, Rankin and Jean Abel of Melville, SK; and her sister Geri Wagner of Regina, SK.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Calgary Humane Society, www.calgaryhumane.ca, in Mavis’s name. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Mavis’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com.

In living memory of Mavis Harder, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 CENTRE STREET NORTH, CALGARY, AB T2E 2V6, Telephone: 403-243-8200.