Jane W. Bartz: 1930 – 2025
Gillette resident Jane W. Bartz, 94, died peacefully on January 9, 2025, at Legacy Living and Rehabilitation Center.
Funeral services for Jane will be Friday, Jan. 17 at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church, with Donavon Voight officiating. Private interment will follow at Mount Pisgah Cemetery. Gillette Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
Jane was born in her grandparents’ house on their homestead in Burke County, North Dakota, on January 26, 1930. At birth, she weighed only three pounds. She was placed in a shoebox by the cook stove to keep her warm. Her family, which included her brother Leland who was born two years later, moved to Bowbells, North Dakota, where Jane graduated from eighth grade. They moved to Williston, North Dakota, where Jane graduated from high school. After high school graduation, she attended Minot State Teachers College.
Jane met her future husband, Nolan Bartz, at the Baptist Bible camp near Lake Medigoshi in North Dakota. They married on June 26, 1959, at First Baptist Church in Portland, Oregon. They returned to Anamoose, North Dakota, to farm for seven years. They had two daughters, Naomi and Medora, also known as Dori.
They then moved to many places where the best special education for Dori, who had Down Syndrome, was available. Both Jane and Nolan started group homes and special education programs in the places where they lived. Jane worked as a legal secretary wherever they lived, and being executive secretary for the President of CWC College in Riverton, Wyoming, was her favorite position.
They moved to Gillette, Wyoming, in 1991 to be close to their grandchildren: Nikki, Chris, Chelsie, daughter, Naomi, and husband, Tony. Jane was deputy clerk in the Campbell County courthouse in the workers’ compensation and child support offices for ten years. After retirement, Jane enjoyed helping with Nolan’s model airplane club functions, attending their grandson’s football games, and spending time with her granddaughters. She was very proud to be a great-grandma to four. Jane enjoyed being part of First Baptist Church, especially teaching Pioneer Club with Nolan. Her other joy was writing devotionals and children’s stories. Jane had an extensive knowledge of the Bible and scripture. She used her computer well into her nineties. She was a published author at 26, making her love of writing a sixty-year commitment.
Jane is preceded in death by husband, Nolan Bartz and daughter, Dori Bartz. Jane is survived by daughter, Naomi (Tony) Didier; granddaughters, Nikole Didier and Chelsie (Colby) Aaberg; grandson, Chris (Cora) Didier; and four great-grandchildren: Paxton and Addison Didier; as well as Zion and Emersyn Aaberg.
Ayron James Hardy: 1954 – 2025
Ayron James “AJ” Hardy, age 70, of Gillette, Wyoming passed away on January 9, 2025, due to complications with diabetes. He was gathered around family at his time of passing.
Ayron was born March 23,1954, to William and Dorothy Hardy, and he was one of four children. Ayron has five children: Travis James Hardy and Jaceson Hardy; stepsons, David Williams, James Clayton “Clay” Williams, and Robert Brian Williams. Ayron worked at the Black Thunder Mine as a mechanic for thirty years. He loved hunting, his grandchildren, and his four dogs.
Ayron was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Dana Hardy. He is survived by his wife of thirty-six years, Billie Hardy; children: Travis (Joey) Hardy, Jaceson (Alyssa) Hardy; stepsons, David (Tracy) Willams, Clay (Sherry) Williams and Robert Williams; brothers, Kelly (Wendy) Hardy and Nate (Dawn) Hardy; seventeen grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. Services will be June 30, 2025 for close family and friends.