Memorial

Larry Eugene Hardin, 78, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa passed away Sunday, May 31, 2026, at the Hiawatha Care Center. Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 PM on Thursday, June 4, 2026, at the Cedar Memorial Chapel Stateroom. Services will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday, June 5, 2026, at the Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories. Burial will follow the service and take place at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.

Larry was born September 2, 1947, to Rev. William and Dora Mae (Jennings) Hardin in Thermopolis, Wyoming. As a young child he moved and lived with his family in Idaho, Oregon, North Dakota, Minnesota and Iowa. Once in high school his family settled in Boone. There he graduated from Boone High School in 1965. At Boone High School he met his high school sweetheart Delores Nystrom and on September 25, 1965, in Boone they were married. Larry and Delores soon moved to Cedar Rapids to start their lives together.  In the fall of 1965 Larry began working at Rockwell Collins. There he would stay until his retirement in 2007 for 42 years of service. 

One of Larry’s passions was to be involved with sports. This started with raising his four children. He was his children’s youth coach for baseball, softball, flag football and even coached his two grandsons in wrestling. He then ventured into high school athletics as a member of the Prairie Booster Club in 1981. He gave more than 40 years of service working for the Prairie Booster Club and was Booster Club President for several years. He enjoyed working the concession stand and working with others involved in the booster Club.

Larry also was a wrestling tournament director. He ran the annual Prairie Little Hawk Wrestling tournament and the AAU Wrestling District tournament for many years.

In his summers he umpired youth baseball games and eventually directed baseball tournaments.  

Larry was a lifetime Cubs, Vikings, and Iowa Hawkeye fan as well. He was also a dog lover, especially pugs which he had three “best friends” (Freddy, Shorty, and Harley) over his lifetime. 
Larry touched the lives of everyone who had the honor of knowing him. His selflessness, warmth, and generous spirit will be remembered forever. He loved Prairie athletics and the Prairie community.

Above all Larry’s love for his family brought him the most joy. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

Larry is survived by his loving wife, Delores Hardin; children, Charles (Donna) Hardin, Christine (Glen) Robinson, and Craig Hardin; son in-law, Dan Bowers; brother in-law, Tom Nystrom; sister in-law Sally Hardin; grandchildren, Tyler (Nicole) Hardin, Amanda Bowers, Trevor Burgess (Melissa Smith), Jasmine (Tyler) Webber, and Crieghton Robinson; great grandchildren, Amelia, Harper, Cooper, Ryder, Jazzy, Markel, Skylar Lyric and Tylir; plus several nieces and a nephew along with their spouses and children.

He was preceded in death by his parents, father and mother in-law (Wilfred and Irma Nystrom), daughter Cindy Bowers, and brothers, Lyle Hardin, Ronald Hardin, and William Hardin. Sisters in-law, Joyce Meyers, Reatha Hardin, and Evelyn Hardin along with nephews Ron Hardin Jr. and Billy Hardin.

The family would like to thank Hiawatha Care Center for their care for Larry during his rehabilitation. 

Memorials may be made to the Prairie Booster Club in his honor.