Lawrence Gary Hardina

Lawrence Gary Hardina

April 15, 1938 - June 19, 2025

Gary Hardina passed away June 19, 2025 at the age of 87. Surrounded by family and loved ones, he passed away peacefully at The Legacy Living and Rehabilitation Center in Gillette, Wyoming.

Gary was born in Kidder, South Dakota on April 15, 1938 to Lawrence and Jean (Witham) Hardina. He was one of three children and grew up alongside his sisters Vicki (Hardina) Kramer of Aberdeen, South Dakota and the late Valerie Jo (Hardina) Tom. Gary graduated from Kidder High School in 1956 and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. After serving two years, Gary attended Northern State College in Aberdeen, South Dakota.

On June 26, 1960 he wed his high school sweetheart Sharon “Snookie” Buss. Gary and Sharon would have celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary this month. Their marriage was blessed with three beautiful daughters Heidi, Jill, and Lori.

In Aberdeen, he worked as a machinist for Hub City Inc. for thirty-five years before retiring in 2000.

Gary and Sharon moved to Gillette in 2016 to be closer to family after living in Aberdeen for fifty-six years. While living in their apartment in Gillette, Gary loved spending time on his patio feeding birds, listening to baseball, talking to neighbors, and sitting alongside his beloved Shih Tzu “Little Fell’r.” Gary and Sharon moved into the Legacy in the fall of 2024.

Gary’s happiest moments were often spent with family and friends at their cabin on Clear Lake in South Dakota. There, he enjoyed fishing, boating and talking with family and friends.

He also liked playing cards, pitching horseshoes, gardening, and woodworking.

An avid sports enthusiast, he was a lifelong fan of the New York Yankees and the Chicago Bears.

He is survived by his wife Sharon (Gillette), daughters Heidi Gross (Jerry Tystad), Gillette; Jill Mikkelsen (Mike), Yankton, South Dakota; Lori Ladwig (Tim Herman), Rapid City, South Dakota; grandchildren Megan (Joel) O’Daniel, Chynna (Tyler) Klumb, Bryce (Kaiti) Ladwig, Molly (Jared) Wass, Andrew Green, Travis (Amanda) Ladwig, and Piper Mikkelsen (Jacob Bellemare); ten great grandchildren Beckett, Atticus, Fiona, Rowyn, Connor, Maxlyn, Kirbi, Collins, Marshall, and Sullivan; sister Vicki Kramer, brother-in-law Greg Tom, one niece and six nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Valerie, mother and father-in-law, son-in-law, and several uncles and aunts.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Christ our Redeemer Church in Gillette, Wyoming on June 24, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., and will be officiated by Pastor John Schroeder.

Interment will be at Mt. Pisgah Cemetery with military honors. Funeral arrangements are under the care of Walker Funeral Home in Gillette, Wyoming.

Condolences and memorials may be sent in care of Walker Funeral Home, 410 Medical Arts Court, Gillette, Wyoming 82716.