Marcia Elizabeth Lardy

Marcia Lardy died unexpectedly at St. Vincent Healthcare in Billings on Saturday, May 26, 2007. Marcia was born on March 30, 1933, the daughter of Elizabeth (Strohm) and Douglas Segar. She was raised in Wayzata, Minn. After graduating from Wayzata High School, she attended the University of Minnesota and earned her degree from St. Cloud Teachers College.

Marcia was united in marriage to Raymond Louis Lardy on Dec. 28, 1957. Ray's job took them to the Washington, D.C. area. They raised their family of five children on a farm in West Friendship, Md. In between her children's sports and events, gardening, cooking and canning, Marcia always found time to help others, volunteering at the local hospital as assistant chaplain and with other organizations. After Ray retired, they moved back to the place they loved and bought a sheep ranch in Staples, Minn., where they resided until Ray's death in 1995. Marcia then moved to Billings to be near family.

Billings quickly became home with a network of wonderful friends. Marcia was a member of the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd. With an angel's voice, she sang in the choir and played in the hand bell choir, last playing at Easter Services. Marcia also enjoyed working as an election judge and volunteering her time wherever needed.

Marcia loved the beauty in life: music, flowers and celebrations. When she was around, you knew you were going to have a good time. She reminded us that life is too short to worry about the mundane aspects. She had a way of making everything better and taught us there is not much better in life than good conversation, a cup of coffee and a cookie.

Marcia was preceded in death by her parents and her husband. She leaves behind her children, Jon Lardy of Ellicott City, Md., Collin (Marcie) Lardy of Billings, Jennifer (Dirk) Bouwer of Seattle, Kirsten Lardy of Seattle and Christian Lardy of Billings; grandchildren, Ben Lardy, Lydia Lardy, Bobby Lardy, Emily Lardy, Elizabeth Lardy and Katharine Bouwer; sisters, Eileen Howe of Charlotte, N.C., and Becki Minich of Lansdale, Pa.; nieces, nephews and cousins, as well as many great friends.

A prayer service for Marcia will be 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 30, at Dahl Funeral Chapel. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 31, at The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd.