Ira "Hardy" Edmonson

Ira “Hardy” Edmonson, age 88, passed away peacefully on January 9, 2026, surrounded by his beloved wife, children, and grandchildren.

Hardy was born on May 24, 1937, in Dallas, Texas, to Celia Mae and Ira Cecil Edmonson. He grew up in Dallas alongside his younger brother, Chuck, learning early the value of hard work. As a young boy, he delivered newspapers and attended Crozier Technical High School, where he participated in the ROTC program. After his family relocated to Albuquerque, New Mexico, Hardy completed high school and began building the foundation of a remarkable life.

After high school, Hardy married his high school sweetheart, Bonnie Moody. Although their marriage ended after a few years, they were blessed with their daughter, Sandy, in 1960.

Hardy was a true self-made businessman. He worked as a mechanic and served in the Air National Guard. In 1962, he married the love of his life, Jeanne Morand, beginning a devoted partnership that would span more than six decades.

Together, Hardy and Jeanne built a life filled with movement, adventure, and opportunity. They lived in Riverside, California, where Hardy worked at Woodcrest Egg Ranch and obtained his pilot’s license — a passion that stayed with him for life. Their daughter, Anna, was born in 1965, followed by their son, Bill, in 1969. In 1972, the family moved to Townsend, Montana, where Hardy managed Montana Farms. It was there that he fell in love with horses, another lifelong passion.

In 1976, the family relocated to Marshall, Minnesota, where Hardy oversaw egg production for Marshall Foods. In 1979, they moved to Arizona, where Hardy continued managing egg production while flying airplanes for the company. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to start his own rental business in Bozeman, Montana, in 1984. He built it into a successful enterprise and retired at the age of 57 in 1994 — though retirement never truly slowed him down. He loved to make money and continued to pick up temporary jobs long after he sold his business.

He embraced life fully. He rode horses through the mountains of Montana and the deserts of Arizona, drove his Jeep on rugged trails, rode his Harley across the country, traveled the world, and split his years between Montana summers and Arizona winters. In 2009, Hardy and Jeanne settled full-time in Lake Havasu, Arizona. That same year, Hardy gained a loyal companion — his Australian Shepherd, Mollie — who quickly became his best friend.

Hardy was first and foremost a family man. He was deeply proud of his children Sandy, Anna, and Bill. He cherished his nine grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren, and his love for his family was evident in everything he did. He was a source of wisdom, strength, and steady guidance, always ready with advice, support, and a helping hand.

In 2019, Hardy and Jeanne returned to Montana — the place he always called “home.” He spent his final months at High Gate Senior Living, where he both charmed and mischievously “terrorized” the staff who quickly fell in love with him.

He lived a full, adventurous, and meaningful life. He was a provider, a protector, a mentor, a friend, and a storyteller. His passing leaves behind many tears, countless memories, and even more great stories. He often summed up his life with humor and gratitude, often saying, “I have had 23 broken bones, 2 heart attacks, been shot twice and stabbed once and I am still above ground — so considering that, I’d say I am doing pretty good.”

He will be remembered for his work ethic, his love of freedom, his loyalty, his sense of adventure, and the deep love he had for his family.