George Hardmeyer

MOTT - Mass of Christian burial for George Hardmeyer, 93, Mott, will be held at 10 a.m. MST Wednesday, March 7, at St. Vincent's Catholic Church, Mott, with the Rev. Charles Zins officiating. Burial will be in Sunnyslope Cemetery, Mott.

Visitation will be held  today from 1 p.m. MST to the time of the rosary service at 7 p.m. MST at Evanson-Jensen Funeral Home, Mott.

Serving as casketbearers are Kevin Roth, Bob Kilzer, Ted Hardmeyer, John L. Haas, Charlie Miller and Eric Hardmeyer. Paul Helland and all of George's nephews, nieces and neighbors are considered honorary bearers.

Special music will be provided by Paul Pelteir, Rachael Mayer and Julie Hardmeyer. The eucharistic ministers are Gabe Hardmeyer and Ben Kautzman; eulogists, Lauren Donovan and Kent Hardmeyer; and the reader, Jane Baker.

George Carl Hardmeyer was April 23, 1918, the oldest of three children born to Carl and Katherine (Haas) Hardmeyer. He was raised on a farm in rural Richardton, until his high school years when they moved into Mott. While in high school, George excelled in sports. After school, he had many jobs, some of which was working at The Hardmeyer Bar and the Mott Creamery.

In 1941, he met the love of his life, Clara Magstadt. On July 9, 1941, they were united in marriage at St. Vincent Catholic Church. From this union, two sons, Claude and Lowell, were born.

The farm that they purchased in 1944, posed many joys and sorrows. Farming was his passion and so was raising animals. The neighbors that they had were considered family.

George was a true conservationist in life and his actions. He was an active 4-H leader. George helped to construct the Indian Creek Dam and received the Golden Shovel from Gov. Art Link. He also was very active on the Soil Conservation Service Board, Hettinger County Water Management Board (which helped to install the Mott Watershed Dam), the Rural Fire District and the Kern Township boards. George was also one of the founding members of the Mott Knights of Columbus and was a Fourth Degree Knight.

In 1968, they gained a daughter, Ilene Kuntz. With goodness also comes sadness (which follows them throughout their lives), on June 10, 1970, their youngest son, Lowell, died while serving his country in Vietnam.

George and Clara were blessed with two grandchildren, Nadra and Orrin. They gained another grandson, Ben Auch, when he married Nadra in 1997. 2003 was a year of sadness and joy. In January, Claude lost his battle with cancer and in August, their first great-grandson, Kaden, was born. More joy followed in 2005 when their first great-granddaughter, Kendra, was born.

In September 2007, they were doubly blessed and gained a granddaughter, MaRanda Jesperson and great-granddaughter, Isabelle, when Orrin married MaRanda. 2009 was another year of joy and sadness. On May 20, Addison was born, making the fourth great-grandchild. Clara passed away at the end of June, just a month after Addison was born.

George was an avid gardener. He always shared his prized fruit of his work with family and friends. He loved to dabble in wine making and will always be remembered for his "plum crazy." George was also an active servant of the Catholic church and his Lord and Savior was very close to his heart, especially at the end of his life.

George was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend.

He passed away at the Mott Good Samaritan Society on March 3, 2012, at the age of 93 years, 10 months, five days.

He is survived by his sister, Dorothea Hoerner; his daughter, Ilene; his grandchildren, Nadra and Ben and Orrin and MaRanda; his great-grandchildren, Kaden, Isabelle, Kendra and Addison; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceding George in death were his parents; his wife, Clara; two sons, Claude and Lowell; his brother and sister-in-law, Ted and Lorraine; and his brother-in-law, Val Hoerner.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.evansonjensenfuneralhome.com.

A memorial will be established.