Edwin Mark Hardy, age 60, died Tuesday, July 22 2014.
Mark was born October 19, 1953 to Ed and Mary Hardy of Sidney Montana. He grew up on the family farm and dairy near Sidney, and graduated from Sidney High School in 1972. He attended college at Montana State University in Bozeman and graduated in 1977 with a degree in Ag Business. He met Rita Cusker while attending college, and they were married in December of 1976.
Mark worked for the Peavey Elevator in Wolf Point for several years and then was promoted to assistant manager of the Shelby elevator and then manager of the Peavey elevator in Cut Bank Montana. He had a strong desire to succeed, and won trips to Hawaii and Aruba based on his sales figures.
Mark and Rita returned to Wolf Point in 1983 to run the family ranch. Mark liked seeing things grow. He worked on getting irrigation systems set up so there would be moisture even in the dry years, and he loved to see a good field of alfalfa hay. He enjoyed working with the livestock, both cattle and horses, and could talk for hours about his plans for the ranch.
He was a capable do-it-yourselfer and was able to figure out a way to accomplish most fix-it jobs. Children Quinn, Megan, and Vanessa were born and he enjoyed being part of their activities – sports, schoolwork, dance, rodeo and more.
In 1989, Mark and Rita started a small business called Advantage Line from a room in their home. It later moved to an office in Wolf Point, and Then a bigger office in Williston, ND with satellite offices in Glendive, Billings, and Havre, employing 600 people at its peak. In 1994, the family moved to Williston ND to be closer to their business, and the kids attended school in Williston.
Mark was a big fan of rodeo, and spent a lot of time on the road driving the kids to and from high school rodeos. He was National High School Rodeo director for North Dakota for many years and really enjoyed the people he met during that time, both in North Dakota and as a director at the national events. He was very proud of being able to watch all three kids compete at the High School National Finals Rodeo.
Mark retired from Advantage Line in 2005 and started spending more time at the ranch in Wolf Point again, irrigating and making hay. Since then he did business consulting, and worked for Agri-Industries for awhile. He liked to stay abreast of the latest technology and was always interested in business, particularly as it related to agriculture. He enjoyed his kids and was thrilled to have 3 grandchildren. He loved to show off their pictures and to buy them gifts.
Mark is survived by his wife, Rita Hardy, his son, Quinn Hardy, and daughters Megan (Ryan) Helmer, and Vanessa Hardy, and 3 grandchildren, all of Wolf Point.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ed and Mary Hardy and an infant brother.
A rosary will be held 7 p.m. Monday, July 28 at the Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 29 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Wolf Point. Interment will follow at the Greenwood Cemetery in Wolf Point. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Service Schedule
Rosary
7:00 p.m.
Monday July 28, 2014
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel
102 Custer
Wolf Point, Montana 59201
Mass of Christian Burial
10:00 a.m.
Tuesday July 29, 2014
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church
513 Dawson
Wolf Point, Montana 59201
Service Schedule
Rosary
7:00 p.m.
Monday July 28, 2014
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel
102 Custer
Wolf Point, Montana 59201
Mass of Christian Burial
10:00 a.m.
Tuesday July 29, 2014
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church
513 Dawson
Wolf Point, Montana 59201
Mary Gen Ledecky says
Many prayers for you and for Mark. Much love, the Ledeckys
Bonnie and Dave Wemmer says
Sending our thoughts and prayers to your family. If there is anything we can do please let us know.
Marlene & Dee Turner says
You are in our thoughts and prayers, if there is anything we can do just let us know. Marlene and Dee
Anne and Jim Nichols says
Sending love and prayers to all the Hardys. So sorry for your loss.
Bernard Adams - Helena says
Sorry to see the passing of Mark. We grew up together in Sidney, went through Cub Scouts together as well as High School.
My thought s a prayers are with his family.
Jerry Pintz says
Sorry to hear about Mark. I have great memories of us at his farm growing up. To the Family we send our Thoughts and Prayers.
A Friend Always
Jerry
Marge Gy says
No words adequately say or know how best to express our sympathy in your loss. May you ride someday & feel his spirit as the dew on the grass.
Peg Franzen & Kate Marien says
You are all in our prayers, take care of each other. Our love – Kak and Peg
Peg Franzen & Kate Marien says
We send our love and prayers to all of you – Hardy family. Take care of each other –
our love –
Kate and Peg
Elda Gabrielson says
My sincere sympathy to Mark’s family. As next-door neighbors we’ve enjoyed knowing him since his childhood and knew he would accomplish great things. His children and grandchildren were his pride and joy! Keep the precious memories of Mark close to your heart and carry on as we know Mark would want you to. God’s peace be with you…Elda
Peg Crane and Jane McGarity says
We so enjoyed visiting withMark last summer when the O’Connors gathered in Sidney. Keeping the Hardy’s in our thoughts and prayers.
Darlyn Grainger says
So sorry for your loss of your husband and father. Thoughts and prayers are with you.
Bob & Deb Dwyer says
Rita, Quinn, Megan, Vanessa and families,
We were very sad to hear of your loss. We were always happy to see you guys and have lots of memories from high school rodeo and cuttings. Hold on to your memories and take care.
Gavin & Jennifer Morken says
We have enjoyed many visits with Mark these last two years and he will be missed. I am sure he is smiling and pain free in heaven.
Flint & Jana Hance says
Rita & Family,
Just found this out today, we are so sorry for your loss of Mark.
Flint & Jana Hance
Lindi Watkins says
Sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
John and Lindi Watkins
Sidney, MT
Amanda (Eckroth) Gerhardt says
Very sorry for your loss. Was such a friendly and familiar face to see at the high school rodeos as a kid. Thoughts and Prayers.
Amanda (Eckroth) Gerhardt
Bill & Karen Novak says
So sorry for your loss. It was a blessing to call Mark a friend. We have many good memories of your family. Bill & Karen Novak
Kathy (Mercer) Young says
Dear Hardy Family,
My heart is heavy with sorrow at Mark’s passing. He and his family were such a wonderful part of my childhood days. And then we (my husband and I) often saw him as we visited (and shared his home occasionally) when returning to Sidney the past few years. He was quick to visit Mom whenever he was in Sidney and felt very included in our family. He was always so generous and welcoming of our company–‘left the light on’ for us! So proud of being a grandpa! Thank you for including him in that arena, Megan, when you could be in Sidney or MC. His work was important to him though the rodeo work and volunteering with the young was what he received greatest joy from. Will miss his ready smile and dry, witty humor. Again, our deepest condolences to you as a family at this time.–Kathy and DJ
Paula Kuni says
I was utterly shocked to hear the news today. Hardy Family – I am so very very sorry for your loss. Mark was so proud of his children and grandchildren and talked about them all the time. He was an extremely smart and dedicated businessman who taught me a lot! I will miss his great smile and willingness to help those in need at any time! He really was a good man.
Mary and Jolyn Dillon says
Our sincerest sympathy to you and your family. You will be in our prayers. May it be comforting knowing We will see our loved ones again.
Mary and Jolyn Dillon
Sandy Schwan says
I worked for Mark when Advantage Line opened in Williston. He mentored me and taught me the ropes of salesmanship. I respected him and admired his business sense. I’m very sorry you lost him at such a young age.