Francis (Gene) Harder

Francis Eugene (Gene) Harder of Emporia, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Sunday, June 22, 2026, at his home. He was 92.

Gene was born on February 1, 1934, in North Lyon County, Kansas, the son of Fred E. and Ellen Hastings Harder. He married Jackuelyn White on June 5, 1955, in Allen, Kansas. They were married 71 years.

Surviving family members include his wife Jackuelyn Harder of the home; sons, Fred (Allison) Harder of Emporia, Mark (Jenny) Harder of Emporia and Brad (Lisa) Harder of Emporia; daughter, Jill (Mike) Garman of Andover; grandchildren, Fletcher (Ann) Harder, Chase (Sydney) Harder, Makenzie (Jordan) Turner, Trent (Ashton) Garman, Hannah Harder, Jessica (Eddie) Suarez, Kendra (Kyle) Beauchamp, Madison Harder, Evan Harder, Taylor Anderson, and Spencer (Jess) Anderson; great-grandchildren, Emmett Beauchamp, Julian Suarez, Blakely Garman, Sofia Suarez, Hunter Harder, Holstyn Turner, Grayson Garman, and Fallon Harder; in-laws: Jim (Mary Clare) White, John (Brenda) White, Rose Ann White, and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Anna Mae Buchman and F. Ernestine Griffith and three brothers-in-law, Russell Buchman, Arthur Griffith and Larry White.

Gene graduated from Bushong High School in 1952. He was active in basketball, baseball, track and participated in school plays. He was a member of American Legion Boys State of Kansas.

Gene worked in sales and management for many years at Montgomery Wards, then in 1978 he began his career with Farm Bureau Insurance, where he received numerous sales awards prior to his retirement in 2003. He also farmed the family farm north of Americus that his grandfather homesteaded in 1876. He was a long-time member of Grace United Methodist Church.

Visitation will be from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday, June 29, 2026, at Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at Grace United Methodist Church with burial following at Sunnyside Cemetery, Americus. Memorial contributions to Grace United Methodist Church can be sent in care of Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home, P.O. Box 175, Emporia, Kansas 66801. You can leave online condolences at www.robertsblue.com