John J. Waldner, 89, passed away due to natural causes at his residence on Wednesday, June 19, 2024.  Wake services will begin on Friday, June 21, 2024, and John's funeral service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 22, 2024, all at the Hartland Colony Church.  Burial will follow in the Hartland Colony Cemetery.  Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.

John was born on February 10, 1935, in Magrath, Alberta, Canada, to Jacob and Sarah (Entz) Waldner.  He was raised there, and in 1948, he moved to the United States.  In 1956, John married Mary Kleinsasser, and the couple had eight children.  In his early years, John was the duck and goose man for the colony, and then he taught school.  In 1978, he began his position as the colony minister, work that he cherished.

John was a kind, gentle man who enjoyed reading his Bible and singing.  He was very hard-working his whole life, and worked until 8 weeks prior to his death.  John absolutely adored his family and fellow colony members.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jacob and Sarah Walder; sisters, Sarah Wipf, Rachel Waldner, and Katie Waldner; brothers, George and Jacob Waldner; and son-in-law, John Wipf.

John is survived by Mary Waldner, his wife of 68 years, of Hartland Colony; daughters, Martha (George) Waldner of Camrose, and Dorothy Wipf and Mary (Ben) Waldner, all of Hartland; sons, John (Margaret) Waldner and Jacob (Lydia) Waldner, all of Hartland, Rev. David (Bara) Waldner of Hilldale, Peter Waldner of Hartland, and Jonathan (Barbara) Waldner of Hilldale; thirty-three grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; sisters, Susie (Jacob) Hofer of Cool Spring and Mary (John) Kleinsasser of Seville; brothers, Peter (Katie) Waldner of Cool Spring and Joseph (Mary) Waldner of Rockport; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

John's family would like to thank McKenzie and Pam with Bear Paw Hospice for their loving care of our father.