Violet Harder

Violet Harder, 94, of Savoy passed away at 11:55 a.m. on March 25, 2021 at University Rehabilitation Center of Champaign-Urbana.

Violet was born January 26, 1927 in Tacubaya, Mexico the daughter of Hungarian émigrés Alexandro and Regina (Goldfarb) Kornhauser.  She worked for many years as an import/export clerk at Baxter Travenol in Skokie, IL until she retired and married her late husband, Edward Harder in 1974.

Violet is preceded in death by her parents, husband and three younger brothers.

She is survived by her son - Hector Mandel (Debbie) of Philo, IL, daughters Sylvia Mandel of Champaign, IL and Adriana Greisman of Goodyear, AZ, granddaughter Rachel Stelter (Karl), and one-year-old great granddaughter Leah Stelter.

She enjoyed entertaining friends and family and cooking favorite meals, loved the sun and warm sea breezes, tropical beaches, and desert heat.  She was influenced by her Hungarian heritage, her life in Mexico, and places she had visited.  In her youth, the sunsets of Pie de la Cuesta left a lasting impression that brought joy to her heart at every sunset throughout her life.   She enjoyed conversation, music, dancing, movies, keeping up with sports (Go Cubs!), and current events.  Most of all she cherished company and conversation, and made friends with everyone she met. Her cooking was unique, and no one went hungry in her home. She loved dogs and cats and knew many throughout her long lifetime. 

Violet spent the last two years at Autumn Fields Adult Community living in Savoy, IL, where the staff cared for her as part of the family. She attended every activity, and especially loved Bingo.  She enriched the lives of her fellow residents who described her as she was to all of us, a warm and brilliantly colorful lady who will be dearly missed.

Violet loved the weather and the sunshine in Tucson, AZ where she lived many happy years with her late husband, so her ashes will be scattered at Mount Lemmon at a later date.  Memories of Violet can be shared at www.renner-wikoffchapel.com.  Those wishing to donate in tribute to Violet are encouraged to make a donation to: 

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
100 Raoul Wallenberg Place, SW
Washington, DC 20024-2126
Main telephone: 202.488.0400
www.ushmm.org/support/ways-to-give/donate

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