Dennis S. Hardy

April 10, 1945 - September 2, 2015

Visitation: Visitation will be Saturday evening from 4-8pm at Canton United Methodist Church with family present from 6-8. A time of sharing will begin at 7pm.

Service: His funeral service will be Sunday, Sept. 6 at 2pm at Canton United Methodist Church.

SONY DSC
SONY DSC

Dennis S. Hardy, 70, of Beresford passed away on Wednesday, Sept 2, 2015 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls after a courageous fight with cancer. His funeral service will be Sunday, Sept. 6 at 2pm at Canton United Methodist Church. Visitation will be Saturday evening from 4-8pm at Canton United Methodist Church with family present from 6-8. A time of sharing will begin at 7pm. In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations to Canton United Methodist Church, Lincoln County 4-H Leaders Association, Avera McKennan Transplant Institute, or charity of your choice.
Dennis was born on April 10, 1945 to Scott and Miriam (Loken) Hardy. He attended Pleasant View #31 rural school. He graduated from Canton High School in 1963 and received his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from SDSU in 1967. He married Lynette Bong on April 7, 1966. Following Dennis’ graduation from SDSU, they made their home in Ilion, NY where Dennis worked for Remington Arms as a computer programmer. They moved in 1974 to Marshalltown, IA, where he worked for Fisher Controls in sales & marketing. His love of the land drew him back to the farm. In 1981, they moved home to South Dakota. Dennis and Lynette farmed and ran their DeKalb and Asgrow seed business until retirement in 2013.
Dennis was a passionate advocate for farmers, and he was a leader in bringing value-added agricultural opportunities to South Dakota. He was not afraid to take risks, and was involved in numerous agribusiness ventures, including a pork production cooperative, ethanol, biodiesel, Corn Growers, Soybean Growers and the South Dakota Soybean Research and Promotion Council. He was an original member of the board of directors for the soybean checkoff, and was the only director from South Dakota nominated for the original United Soybean Board. He served on the North Central Soybean Research Program, a consortium of 10 soybean producing states. His latest passion for value added projects combined with concern for the environment led to his serving on the board with Dakota Power Community Wind Project. He was a visionary progressive leader for agriculture and rural South Dakota, and was named an Eminent Farmer by SDSU in 1999.
Dennis was an active advocate for 4-H, serving as a Lincoln County 4-H leader and chairman of Lincoln County 4-H Leader’s Association. He was one of the leaders in developing the Shooting Sports program in Lincoln County to teach children gun safety, as well as an instructor for the Hunter Safety program. Dennis was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying hunting, fishing, and camping with his family and friends. Dennis was an active member and leader within the Canton United Methodist Church. Always thinking and making plans, even while hospitalized fighting cancer, his current plan and one that brought him joy and satisfaction was the decision to fund a revival in the Canton area as a part of the community’s 150th anniversary celebration in 2016. He wanted others to find the grace, joy and life he had found through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Grateful to have shared his life are his wife Lynette, children Michele (Tony) Nielson and grandchildren Justin, Caitlyn and Ryan of Brookings , DeAnn (Eric) Eidem and grandchildren Calla and Benjamin of Rapid City, and Scott (Betsy)Hardy and grandchildren Blake, Caleb and Craig of Marion, IA; siblings LaVonne Hardy of Beresford, Lynn (Lori) Hardy of Milbank, Brian (Robin) Hardy of Sioux Falls, Marilyn (Richard) Hyronimus of Beresford, and Jan (Jim) Claggett of North Syracuse, NY; sister-in-law Karla Hardy of Sioux Falls; a special aunt Elverna Buttz of Ankeny, IA; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and countless beloved friends. He was preceded in death by his parents Scott and Miriam Hardy, brother Daryl Hardy, nephew Eric Hardy, niece Ashley Heather Claggett, and great-niece Madelyn Michaloski.

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8 messages have been left

  1. Louise brown on September 3, 2015 said:

    So sorry for your loss of a dearly loved one to our enemy death. Please find may you find comfort in our Heavenly Father’s promise to do away with this enemy forever. May you keep the hope alive of being together again in
    The near future. My sincerest condolences.

  2. Lance Koth on September 4, 2015 said:

    I got to know Dennis through his involvment with Midwest Biodiesel. He was a wonderful man and I could tell that there was something special about him, not only with his high degree of integrity and intellengence but his testimony within his obituary. Makes my heart sing knowing that Dennis was prepared spiritually for his passing from his earthly life. My condolences to all of his family. He will be missed by many. Lance Koth

  3. Sheila Richards on September 4, 2015 said:

    Thinking of you today. May the peace of Christ surround you.

  4. Stephen Perry on September 4, 2015 said:

    DeAnn and family–I’m sorry to hear that you’ve lost your dad at such an early age. It sounds like he accomplished alot in his lifetime, and I hope that will be a blessing to you.–Stephen Perry

  5. Cheryl Ulvestad on September 4, 2015 said:

    Lynette and family,
    Denny and I are so sorry to hear of Dennis’ passing. Cherish all the wonderful memories of time spent together and know our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.

  6. Cathy and John Olson on September 5, 2015 said:

    Lynette and Family, So sorry for your loss! Thoughts and prayers go out for all of you. May the Lord bless you and keep you in His everlasting arms!

  7. Luke Mortimer on September 5, 2015 said:

    DeAnne and family,
    We are sorry for your loss. Please know we are thinking about you during this difficult time. Love the Mortimers.

  8. Noreen Thorson Aadland--Belle Fourche,SD on September 6, 2015 said:

    Dear Lynette and family,
    I was quite saddened to learn about Dennis’ passing. After reading his obituary, it sounds like the job that God gave him here on earth is finished.
    God’s peace
    Noreen Thorson Aadland