Harry "Dee" Hardin

Funeral Service for Harry "Dee" Hardin will be held on Thursday, November 9, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Alma, Nebraska with Pastors Seong Lee and Duane Russell officiating. Burial will follow at the Alma Cemetery at Alma with Military Honors provided by the Fay Cady American Legion Post #118 in conjunction with the United States Army Funeral Honors Team.

Harry "Dee" Hardin, 90 years of age, of Alma, passed away, on November 2, 2023, at the Good Samaritan Society – Colonial Villa in Alma. Dee was born on the family farm northeast of Alma on March 1, 1933, the youngest of two children, born to Harry and Edna (Mishler) Hardin. Dee was a member of the Congregational Church in Alma and they made him the youngest voting member at 8 years old. He received his education from District 12 Country School through 8th grade and later attended and graduated from Alma High School, with the class of 1951. While in High School Dee set stakes for the lots at Republican City for the Corp of Engineers.

Following his education, Dee farmed with his dad before joining the Army on April 8, 1953. Dee was honorably discharged on January 5, 1954, he then returned to the farm and was a substitute mail carrier and also helped hand dig cemetery graves. The farm was purchased and has been in the family for over 100 years, it is being farmed by the fourth generation.

On September 29, 1957, Dee was united in marriage to Ruby F. Reynolds at the Congregational Church in Alma. The couple made their home on Dee's family farm near Alma. They were blessed with two daughters:  DeAnna and Pamela.

Dee enjoyed hunting, collecting guns, fishing, trapping, boating, and waterskiing. Dee and Ruby rode in many organized tractor rides and even were part of the world's largest tractor ride at the Nebraska State Fair. He served on the Alma township board, the Alma Coop equity exchange, Alma Cemetery Board, and was a member of the NRA. Dee donated over 20 gallons of blood.

He was a member of the Fay Cady American Legion Post #118 where he was active on the color guard. Dee has been a Master Mason since 1966 in Lodge #116 and Jacin Lodge #146. Dee and Ruby were active members of the Alma Evangelical Free Church where he served as a deacon along with other positions, and later the couple transferred their membership to the Alma United Methodist Church.

Dee was preceded in death by his wife, Ruby; his parents; one sister, Catherine Gough and her husband, Rev. Robert; his father and mother-in-law, Arthur and Sara Reynolds; five sisters-in-law: Arla Jane (Boyd) Neeman; Frona Larmer; Lorene (Gary) Parker; Lois (Robert Gillham) (Terry Haug); and one sister in infancy; four brothers-in-law: Gayle LeRoy Reynolds; David Frank Reynolds; Ed Lawrence; and Joe Pepper.

Dee leaves to celebrate his life two daughters: DeAnna Anderbery and her husband, Dave of Axtell, Nebraska; and Pam Taylor and her husband, Brian of rural Phillipsburg, Kansas; six grandchildren: Dee Duering of Fairfax, Missouri; Justin Taylor and his wife, Kelly of rural Phillipsburg; Clint Taylor and his wife, Jessica of rural Whitman, Nebraska; Heath Anderbery and his wife, Kayla of Axtell; MaChaela Gruntorad and her husband, Tyler of Alma, Nebraska; and Rhett Anderbery of Axtell; thirteen great-grandchildren:  KayDee and Tyler Duering; Cory, Laney, and Libby Taylor; Danny, Jillian, Isabel, and Bethany Taylor; Miles, Jordy, and Paxton Anderbery; and Bronson Gruntorad; two sisters-in-law: Norene Pepper of Mt. Pleasant, Michigan; and June Lawrence of Wagoner, Oklahoma; along with many nieces, nephews, and extended family and friends.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 8, 2023, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with family greeting friends from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Alma.

A memorial has been established in Dee's honor and kindly suggested to the United Methodist Church in Alma; Fay Cady American Legion Post #118, or Camp Joy.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Bauer-Torrey & Mach Funeral Home in Alma is in charge of the arrangements.