Margaret 'Maggie' (Shepard) Harder

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Harder, Margaret "Maggie" Shepard passed away peacefully March 5, in her home in Wayzata, at age 93. Maggie is lovingly remembered as a longtime Wayzata resident of distinctive and refined elegance, humor, and poise. She is survived by her son, Phil Jr. (Kathie); three grand-children, Justin (Amanda), Shep (Emily), and Christian Harder; her daughter-in-law, Katherine Harder; her three great-grandchildren, Colton, Henry and Emery, each of whom she loved deeply; and brother, James Shepard (Wendy). Maggie is predeceased by her husband of 68 years, Philip M. Harder, and son, Shepard Harder. Maggie was born in New York City on October 19, 1924. A woman of the world, she moved from New York City to London, England in 1934, at age 10; she would live there four years, returning to East Hampton, Long Island, as international tensions mounted in the years preceding World War II. In 1942, Maggie graduated from the Foxcroft School, in Middleburg, VA; she went on to attend Sarah Lawrence College, where she studied music with the American composer William Schuman and met with Leonard Bernstein through her studies with Schuman. Her primary war job was nurse's aide and she graduated in 1944. Maggie met her future husband, Philip in East Hampton, just prior to his deployment to the European Theatre where he served in the Navy during World War II. Married on January 20, 1945, the new couple would move to Minneapolis in 1947, first living on Franklin Ave., before building their permanent residence in 1951, becoming one of the first residents of the Wayzata Highlands. She led a distinguished social life, defining a rich community of close friends and family whom she frequently visited in her favorite gathering places, including McCormick's for lobster rolls in downtown Wayzata or lunch at the Minnetonka Art Center. The family deeply appreciates the love and caring service Maggie received from Becky Frederick, Kerry Colquette, Deanna Laemmle, Karen Buendorf, Barb Sipe, Nicole Schneider, Lisa Janke and Susan Winters. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, June 7 at 11:00 AM at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1200 Marquette Ave. S., Minneapolis. A reception will be held directly following the service at the Woodhill Country Club. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Westminster Church, Minnetonka Center for the Arts or the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. David Lee Funeral Home Wayzata 952-473-5577 davidleefuneralhome.com

Published on March 18, 2018