Bobby “Bob” Hardy

Bobby Russell Hardy

Nov. 7, 1930 - Jan. 20, 2023

McCOOK, Neb. — Bobby Russell Hardy was born to Ralph and Esther (Rousselle) Hardy in Hitchcock County’s Eden Precinct on Nov. 7, 1930; he passed away in McCook on Jan. 20, 2023.

Bob attended the one-room Eden School through eighth grade and then continued his education in Wauneta, graduating in 1948. In November 1951, Bob joined the Army and served in Korea, primarily in the Iron Triangle. He received three Bronze Service Stars for participation in three major battles. Because of his service, in 2018 Bob was proclaimed by the Korean government an Ambassador for Peace, for which he received a medal.

On March 28, 1959, Bob married Jean Winkelmann of Imperial. Their marriage was blessed with three children: Elizabeth, Steven, and Ann.

Bob engaged in farming in Eden Precinct for most of his adult life. In 1999, he and Jean retired and moved to McCook and Bob volunteered at McCook Pantry for nearly 20 years. He served on the school boards for Eden and Stratton, on the Wauneta Coop Oil Company Board, the Wauneta Rural Fire District Board and the board of the McCook Pantry. Bob was an avid but stoic sports fan throughout his life. He also enjoyed reading, keeping up on current events and visiting with whoever was near, whether a stranger or a lifelong friend.

Bob was baptized into Christ at age 18 and for the past 50 or so years was a member of the Stratton Church of Christ. Besides providing leadership at church, he was the song leader and often taught adult Bible classes.

In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by his two sisters and their spouses, Elva (Merle) Brown and Joan (Gordon) Morthole; by his son-in-law, Brian Vargus, and by his brother-in-law, Donald Winkelmann. Besides Jean, he is survived by his children, Elizabeth Carroll of Indianapolis, Steven Hardy and his wife, Nancy of Seward, and Ann Vrana and her husband, Steve of Wahoo; his grandchildren, Evann (Matt) Gerber, Alexis (Noah) Walz, and Esther, Eleanor, Isaac, and Aaron Hardy; and two brothers-in-law, James (Sara) Winkelmann and David (Katherine Jellison) Winkelmann. He is also survived by 11 nieces and nephews and their families, plus numerous other family members and friends.

Memorial services will be Thursday, Jan. 26, at 2 p.m., at Herrmann-Jones Funeral Home in McCook with Randy Hayes officiating. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Wednesday evening from 4-6 p.m. Inurnment with full military honors will occur in Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell, Neb., on Friday, Jan. 27 at 11 a.m. Memorials may be given to the McCook Pantry. Arrangements have been entrusted to Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel of McCook.