Phillip "Phil" James Harders of Wood River was born the youngest of three children on August 30, 1959 in Grand Island, Nebraska. He grew up in Wood River, Nebraska where he graduated high school in 1977. He then went on to pursue an Ag Business degree at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln. Following graduation, Phil accepted a position with Cargill, a company to which he dedicated 40 years of his life. His various roles within the company brought him and his family several moves across Nebraska, South Dakota, and Minnesota. Phil and his family eventually settled in Grand Island in 2005 where he has spent the past 19 years. Work was important to Phil, but more important was his family. Phil married Terri Lynn (Vyhnalek) on September 3, 1983 in Lincoln, Nebraska. He was blessed with three little girls, Lexie Lynn, Lindsay Lea, and Parker Renae, whom he loved more than anything. Through all the phases of his life, Phil found joy in all things sports from playing basketball and softball with his friends to keeping up with the Huskers and fantasy football and dedicating his weekends to horse racing. He always said, "You gotta bet big to lose big!" He is remembered as a genuine, loyal, and loving man – the kind you never wanted to disappoint. We will miss his dad jokes and calming presence the most. He received a liver transplant in October of 2020 which afforded him quality of life even towards his final moments, and for that Phil and his family are eternally grateful. Phil passed away peacefully in his home in the early hours of December 20th, 2023 with family by his side after a four year battle with bile duct cancer. He is survived by his loving wife, Terri, his three daughters, Lexie (Luke) Wertz, Lindsay (Nick) Elting, and Parker Harders (Sam Tynan). He is also survived by his mother, Ruby (Rickert) Harders, father-and mother-in-law, Al and Marilyn Vyhnalek, his brother Robert (Laurie) Harders, his sister Jan (Robert Wenzl) Amundson, six grandchildren, Karlie, Easton, and Griffin Wertz and Madden, Mia, and Callen Elting, as well as several nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his father, Delbert Harders and paternal grandparents (Otto and Marie Harders) and maternal grandparents (Joe and Florence Rickert). Mass of Christian burial will be Friday, December 29, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. The Rev. Alexander J. Borzych will be the celebrant. Private family inurnment will be at a later date. Visitation will be Thursday, December 28, 2023, from 4 – 6 p.m. at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church with a vigil service at 6 p.m. Memorials are suggested to Grace Cancer Foundation, 2319 N. Webb Rd., Grand Island, NE 68803. Curran Funeral Chapel is assisting the family. Your thoughts and prayers may be given at www.curranfuneralchapel.com under Phil's obituary. Visitation Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church Thursday, December 28, 2023 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM 518 West State Street Grand Island, NE 68801 Vigil Service Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church Thursday, December 28, 2023 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM 518 West State Street Grand Island, NE 68801 Mass of Christian Burial Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church Friday, December 29, 2023 10:30 AM 518 West State Street Grand Island, NE 68801