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Stephanie Harders, 71

Beloved wife, mother, and friend, Stephanie Harders, 71, of Gladbrook, Iowa, passed away peacefully on the morning of March 25, 2023, in the comfort of her own home surrounded by her loving family.

Memorial services for Stephanie will be held on Friday, March 31, 2023, beginning at 2:00 P.M. at the Salem Church of Lincoln. A visitation for family and friends will be held one hour prior to services. Memorials in Stephanie’s name may be directed to Iowa River Hospice or to a local A.A. chapter as a resource to help others in need. For additional information or to send a condolence to the family please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call 641-844-1234.

Stephanie Kaye Ehmen was born February 23, 1952, to parents Harold âCurlyã and Mavis (Nehring) in Eldora, Iowa. She grew up in Grundy Center where she attended school. Stephanie graduated from Grundy Center High School in 1970 and went on to attend La James School of Beauty in Waterloo where she received her degree in cosmetology.

On May 1, 1971, she was united in marriage to the love of her life, Craig Harders at the Bethany Presbyterian Church in Grundy Center. After they were married, Stephanie and Craig resided in Grundy Center before calling home in Holland, Lincoln and then Gladbrook since 2015. Together they raised their three children. In her early years, she began working as a local beautician before working as a teller for various banks. She however found her true love after retirement when she went to work at the Gladbrook Public Library.

Stephanie was a faithful member at the Salem Church of Lincoln, the Gladbrook Womens Club, the Lincoln Commercial Club and Alpha Study Club and served on the board for Salem Church of Lincoln.

In her free time, Stephanie loved to find a good book to read, spent plenty of time shopping, doting on her many fur babies over the years and pink flamingoes. She adored her family and loved to spend time with her grandsons and was often called âgramma momã by her grandsons. She enjoyed family gatherings where she always brought her famous potato salad. Stephanie was always ready for anything, always fashionably dressed with beautiful hair and make-up.

Those left to remember and cherish her memory are her husband, Craig Harders; her children: Brandon Harders, Jaime (Scott) Schmidt and Jenny (Dave) Schmitz; her grandchildren: Parker Schmidt, Bennett Schmidt, Wilken Schmitz and Theo Schmitz; her siblings: Dan (Marva) Ehmen, Lori (Bill) Coens, Joey (Gina) Ehmen and Dot (Chuck) Barnes; her nieces and nephews: Angie (Mark) Thesing, Joe (Michele) Barnes, Dustin Ehmen, Michael Ehmen, Hayden (Raz) Coens and Dylan Coens; along with her four legged, furry companion Eddie.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Curly and Mavis Ehmen; her and father and mother-in-law, Marvin and Helen Harders; and many aunts and uncles.