Egbert Friedrich Schardt, the oldest of five children, was born to Fred and Elsie (Otterman) Schardt on July 13, 1921 at Hardy,
Nebraska
. His love of the land was evident as a lifetime farmer and his love of God was seen in his humble and strong faith. He departed this life on the hand of his wife Loretta at
Thayer
County
Hospital
on May 13, 2011 at the age of 89 years and 10 months. Egbert was baptized on July 24, 1921 by his grandfather F. Schardt at St. Peter Lutheran Church,
Byron
,
NE.
His baptism verse was Luke 18:16. He was confirmed at the same church on December 1, 1935 by Pastor L. Hoefer. His confirmation verse was I Timothy 6:12. On October 21, 1945 he was united in marriage to Loretta Heitmann at St. Peter Lutheran Church. This union was blessed with three children: Lyle, Lynnis, and Ryan. They made their home on the family farm for 65 years. Egbert was a life long member of St. Peter serving on the Church Council Crop several times, and Church Delegates. He enjoyed singing and loved being in the choir. Egbert faithfully attended men's bible study group and was also a part of the building committee and construction of St. Peter, which helped with the construction of the
American
Lutheran
Church
in
Belleville
,
KS
. One of his most rewarding joys was being on the committee for the "Hay Lift to
Alabama
". A bus trip to
Alabama
was a life changing experience of his life and lives of the community. Egbert was also a member of the Rural Volunteer Fire Department at Byron, on the rural fire department board, on the school board District 64 and 68, and he was a life time member of the Byron Lions Club. Egbert enjoyed bowling, traveling, round and square dancing, attending grandchildren's activities, and working with wood. He made many things like hutches, bookshelves, curio cabinets, or about anything anyone could think of for family and friends. He also helped to make the church cabinets in the kitchen of the new parish hall. Whenever he went he always made new friends as he enjoyed visiting with everyone he met. Egbert was preceded in death by his parents Fred and Elsie Schardt; brothers-in law Vernon Kirchhoff, Virgil Vinkenberg, and Mervin Gerdes. He will be forever remembered by his wife Loretta; two sons Lyle (Lucille) Schardt and Ryan (Myra) Schardt; one daughter Lynnis (Arlis) Eitzmann; seven grandchildren, Brendan (Michelle) Schardt, Shannon (Thad) Buster, Tiffany (Jake) Beam, Brett Eitzmann, Adam Eitzmann, Stacey Schardt, and Justin (Linsey) Schardt; ten great grandchildren Tyra, Trinity, Tierra, and Tasia Schardt, Avery, Ainsley, and Adilyn Buster, Jackson Beam, Eli Eitzmann, and Riley Schardt; four sisters Loretta Kirchhoff, Wilma Schardt, Florence (Erwin) Kniep, and Gladys (Vern) Bohling; two brothers-in-law Lavern (Verla) Heitmann and Willis (Delores) Heitmann; two sisters-in-law Mildred (Bernie) Bliefernich and Marjorie Vinkenberg; many nieces and nephews, and a host of friends.
Funeral services were held Monday, May 16, 2011 at 10:30 AM at St. Peter Lutheran Church,
Byron
,
NE
with Pastor Connie Raess officiating. Special music was "Blessed Assurance" by the Mixed Choir; "Great Is Thy Faithfullness" by Richard Smith; and congregational hymns, "Come Follow Me" and "Leaning On The Everlasting Arms".
Crystal Krenke was the organist and Maureen Clark the accompanist.
Pallbearers were Egbert's grandsons, Brendan Schardt, Brett Eitzmann, Justin Schardt, Adam Eitzmann, Thad Buster and Jake Beam.
Honorary bearers were Egbert's granddaughters, Shannon Buster, Stacey Schardt, Tiffany Beam, Michelle Schardt and Linsey Schardt.
Burial was in
St.
Peters
Lutheran
Cemetery
, Byron.
