Ruby Francis Hardin, 83 years of age, of Alma

Ruby Francis Hardin, 83 years of age, of Alma
September 29, 1957 - February 5, 2021

Funeral Services for Ruby F. Hardin will be held on Friday, February 5, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Alma, Nebraska with Pastor Seong Lee officiating. Burial will follow at the Alma Cemetery at Alma.

This service will be live streamed via the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Homes Facebook page.

Ruby Francis Hardin, 83 years of age, of Alma, died on Monday, February 1, 2021, at the Good Samaritan Society Colonial Villa in Alma. Ruby was born on November 29, 1937, on the family farm, south of Orleans, Nebraska in the Eldorado Township, in Harlan County. She was the fourth of ten children, born to Arthur Ely and Sara Isabel (Gibson) Reynolds. Ruby accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior as a young girl. She received her education from Springbrook District #26 in Harlan County and then attended and graduated from Long Island High School with the class of 1957.

On September 29, 1957, Ruby was united in marriage to Harry D. “Dee” Hardin at the Congregational Church in Alma. The couple made their home on Dee’s family farm near Alma. They were blessed with two daughters: DeAnna and Pamela. Ruby enjoyed tending to her daughters and helping Dee on the farm, especially driving her red International grain truck for harvest.

Ruby worked in the Harlan County Clerk’s office and was also an Avon and World Book Encyclopedia Representative.

She enjoyed vegetable gardening, and canning, sewing, and loved horses as a young girl and stayed an accomplished rider. Ruby enjoyed helping her grandchildren paint ceramics, and attending as many of their school and 4-H activities as possible. She took pride in preparing wild game meats, including Snapping Turtle, and also enjoyed hunting deer with her husband for many years.

She was a member of the Alma Evangelical Free Church, where she was active with children’s Sunday school and the Joy Club. Ruby also volunteered many hours at the Colonial Villa, and at her church; and was a founding member of the Harlan County Caring Cupboard. She was a member of the Canvasing Board and served three terms as Harlan County District #7 Supervisor; was a 50 year member of Dine-a-Mite Extension Club, and was a current member of the Faye Cady American Legion Post #118 Auxiliary. The couple later transferred their membership to the Alma United Methodist Church. Ruby will be remembered for her caring demeanor and her out going personality.

Ruby was preceded in death by; her parents; five sisters, including: one sister in infancy; and sisters, Arla Jane; Frona; Lorene; and Lois; two brothers: Gayle LeRoy Reynolds; and David Frank Reynolds; five brothers-in-law: Boyd Neeman, Robert Gillham, Ed Lawrence; Gary Parker; and Joe Pepper; and one sister-in-law, Catherine “Myrl” Gough and her husband, Rev. Robert Gough.

Ruby leaves to celebrate her life; her husband of 63 years, Dee Hardin of Alma; daughters: DeAnna Anderbery and her husband, Dave of Axtell, Nebraska; and Pam Taylor and her husband, Brian of rural Phillipsburg, Kansas: six grandchildren: Dee Duering and his wife, Kristi of Fairfax, Missouri; Justin Taylor and his wife, Kelly of rural Phillipsburg; Clint Taylor and his wife, Jessica of rural Whitman, Nebraska; Heath Anderbery and his wife, Kayla of Axtell; MaChaela Gruntoard and her husband, Tyler of Bertrand, Nebraska; and Rhett Anderbery of Axtell; twelve great-grandchildren: KayDee and Tyler Duering; Cory, Laney, and Libby Taylor; Danny, Jillian, and Isabel Taylor; Miles, Jordy, and Paxton Anderbery; and Bronson Gruntoard; two sisters: Norene Pepper of Mt. Pleasant, Michigan; and June Lawrence of Wagoner, Oklahoma; one brother-in-law: Terry Huag of Smith Center, Kansas; along with many nieces, nephews, and extended family.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 4, 2021 from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Alma.

A memorial has been established in Ruby’s honor and kindly suggested to the United Methodist Church in Alma; or Camp Joy.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Bauer-Torrey & Mach Funeral Home in Alma is in charge of the arrangements.