Donald W. Hardin

Nov. 24, 1921 - Oct. 17, 2008

BEAVER CITY -- Donald W. Hardin, age 86, formerly of Beaver City, died Friday (Oct. 17, 2008) at Christian Homes at Holdrege.

He was born Nov. 24, 1921, at Beaver City to Perry and Anna (Gronquist) Hardin.

He was raised on his grandparents' farm Southeast of Beaver City. He attended rural school district, graduated from Beaver City High School in 1939.

He attended University of Nebraska College of Agriculture at Lincoln, before entering the U.S. Army Infantry, serving as medical technician in Italy and North Africa. Following his discharge he returned to the university and graduated in 1948. He taught a Veteran's Class "On the Farm Training" for the government for two years in Beaver City. He then worked for Farmers National Company for 11 years.

He married Marian Walcott of Valentine on Aug. 29 , 1962, at Broken Bow. He purchased Farmers & Merchants Bank in Edison in 1962, which he managed until his retirement in early 1990s. Prior to his retirement he added the bank at Arapahoe to his holdings and also served on boards of banks such as Haxton, Colo., and Packers National Bank of Omaha.

After his retirement from banking he continued to farm until the failure of his health in 1999, at which time he moved to Christian Homes at Holdrege, Nebraska.

He was member of First United Methodist Church at Beaver City, Monument Masonic Lodge No. 293 at Arapahoe and American Legion Post No. 343 of Edison. He also was a past member of the Nebraska Bankers Association.

He was preceded in death by his parents and granddaughter, Ashley Fattig in 1983.

Survivors include his wife, Marian of Kearney; two sons, David and wife, Laura Hardin of Omaha and James and wife, Marti Hardin of Aberdeen, Scotland; daughter, Ann and husband, Bruce Fattig of Kearney; and eight grandchildren.

Funeral services will be Saturday at 11 a.m., at First United Methodist Church at Beaver City with the Rev. Robert E. Berlie Sr., officiating. Burial of cremains will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery at Beaver City.

His book may be signed at Wenburg Funeral Home in Beaver City on Thursday and Friday from 1 - 7 p.m. Condolences or personal reflections can be left at www.wenburgfuneralhome.com.

Memorials may be given for Beaver City Foundation or First United Methodist Church of Beaver City and may be left at the funeral home.

Wenburg Funeral Home of Beaver City is in charge of arrangements.